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It simply cannot go on. It makes no rational sense for it to persist. And yet, it does.

A Historic Victory Defying Expectations

Aston Villa entered Saturday's Premier League clash at Chelsea aiming for a historic record of 11 consecutive wins, matching runs set in the distant past. For the opening hour, achieving it seemed highly unlikely, as the hosts controlled proceedings, secured the lead, and could have added to their advantage. But, Chelsea have shown vulnerability when ahead, especially at home, while Villa now possess a baffling habit of snatching wins on the road from losing positions.

First, the striker equalised, the ball ricocheting in off his shin and the post following his initial shot was blocked by Robert Sánchez. Subsequently, he nodded in the decisive goal with a deft header. These were just his fourth and fifth league goals of the season. The forward might feel a bit of luck was overdue, and it's undeniable the equalizing goal had a significant element of luck. Currently, however, Lady Luck is favoring Villa.

The Numbers Behind an Unlikely Run

The last nine of these 11 straight wins have been by a solitary goal. They have kept a clean sheet in only one of those games. Their underlying metrics have been better in only six of those fixtures, and in two of those, the margin was 0.2 or less. Their last five road Premier League victories have all come after conceding first. This pattern should not, yet pundits have been claiming that for some time, and Villa continue winning. The central question is whether their results will eventually align with their displays or if their level of play can improve to match the results.

This should not be sustainable, but everyone has been stating that for a while and Villa continue winning.

A Defining Characteristic: Resilience

Fighting back is not merely a feature of this season. Over the past three seasons, no team has gained more points from losing positions than Villa's fifty-four; Eighteen of those were secured this term, fifty percent more than the next best team, Sunderland. This season, Villa substitutes have scored 9 goals. Two key points can be made about Villa under their manager.

• Firstly, they possess a profound confidence that means no deficit ever feels beyond them. This is, in part, self-perpetuating: the more they come from behind, the more they believe they can do it again.
• Secondly, Emery has proven very adept at changing games with his use of the bench.

The Emery Effect

While Chelsea had the better of the xG battle 2.1 to 1.4, Villa became the dominant force from the moment, around the hour mark, when Emery made a triple change. Watkins replaced Donyell Malen, who had struggled with few chances. Suddenly, the ball began to stick, and Watkins's movement behind the defensive line created issues. Amadou Onana and Sancho also entered, bolstering the midfield and adding the flank presence they had lacked earlier.

Chelsea had ten attempts to Villa's none before the changes; following them, Villa created eleven opportunities to Chelsea's four. By the final whistle, Villa were in control and could easily have won by a greater margin. Once again, Chelsea boss Maresca struggled to react as the game slipped away; the sense remains that he is more proficient at implementing a game plan with time to prepare than making adjustments on the fly.

Moment of Magic

Villa have also developed a welcome habit of individuals producing pieces of sensational quality to alter games. Rogers has been decisive at Leeds, West Ham, and against Manchester United. The image of him shifting the ball onto his favored foot and whipping a finish into the top corner has become a seasonal theme. It was the winger who changed the game after coming on at Leeds. Watkins changed the game at Stamford Bridge. The contributions of defenders like Ezri Konsa and Lindelof on Saturday were key. Right now, it's seldom the whole side playing brilliantly, but sufficient individuals within it delivering to secure the victories.

What Comes Next?

Will they be able to maintain this run? They now sit three points behind the league leaders, and as the season approaches its midway point, they must be considered as in the championship conversation, certainly more so than teams like Chelsea or defending champions Liverpool. The upcoming away fixture at Arsenal will be a significant examination of that claim. Villa defeated Arsenal earlier this month, a match in which they not only won the xG but registered an xG 40% higher than any other side has achieved against Arsenal in the league this term.

Arsenal have since put together their own run of single-goal victories, winning three in a row without ever being wholly convincing. Tuesday will be a test for both sides – and if Villa win a 12th game in a row, it would become increasingly difficult to dismiss their title credentials.