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It simply cannot continue. It makes no rational sense that it persists. Yet, persist it does.

A Record-Chasing Victory Against the Odds

The Claret and Blue army arrived at Saturday's Premier League encounter at Chelsea looking to equal a historic record of eleven consecutive wins, a feat last achieved in the distant past. For much of the match, achieving it seemed improbable, as Chelsea dominated proceedings, took the lead, and might have added to their advantage. However, Chelsea have shown vulnerability when ahead, especially at home, while Villa have cultivated a remarkable habit of snatching away victories from losing positions.

First, Ollie Watkins equalised, the ball cannoning in off his leg and the post after his initial shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Subsequently, he nodded in the decisive goal with a deft header. These were just his fourth and fifth league goals of the season. Watkins might feel a bit of luck was due, and it's undeniable the first goal had a large slice of luck. At the moment, though, fortune is smiling on Villa.

The Numbers Of an Implausible Streak

The last nine of these eleven straight wins have been by a solitary goal. They have kept a clean sheet in only one of those matches. Their underlying metrics have been better in just six of those fixtures, and in two of those, the advantage was 0.2 or less. Their last five road Premier League victories have all come from behind. This pattern should not, yet observers have been claiming that for weeks, and Villa continue winning. The key question is whether their outcomes will eventually align with their displays or if their performances can improve to match the points haul.

This should not be sustainable, but everyone has been saying that for a while and Villa keep on winning.

A Core Characteristic: Resilience

Coming from behind is not just a feature of this season. Over the past 3 seasons, no side has won more points when trailing than Villa's fifty-four; Eighteen of those have been secured this season, 50% more than the second-placed team, Sunderland. This season, Villa players from the bench have contributed nine goals. Two key points can be made about Villa under Unai Emery.

• Firstly, they possess a deep-rooted confidence that means no deficit ever feels beyond them. This is, to an extent, a virtuous cycle: the more they come from behind, the more they believe they can do it again.
• Secondly, Emery has proven exceptionally skilled at changing games with his use of the bench.

A Masterful Change

While Chelsea had the better of the expected goals 2.1 to 1.4, Villa became the dominant force from the moment, just before the hour mark, when Emery executed a triple change. Ollie Watkins came on for Donyell Malen, who had struggled with few chances. Suddenly, the ball began to stick, and Watkins's runs behind the defensive line caused problems. Amadou Onana and Sancho also entered, strengthening the center and providing the flank presence they had lacked earlier.

Chelsea had 10 shots to Villa's none before the substitutions; afterwards, Villa had eleven opportunities to Chelsea's 4. By the end, Villa were commanding and could have won more comfortably. Once again, opposing manager Enzo Maresca seemed unable to respond as the game turned against him; the impression remains that he is better at devising a game plan with preparation time than adapting in the moment.

Moment of Magic

Villa have also developed a happy habit of individuals producing moments of match-winning quality to turn games. Rogers has scored crucial goals at Leeds, West Ham, and against Manchester United. The sight of him working the ball onto his right foot and whipping a finish into the top corner has become a recurring leitmotif. It was the winger who changed the game from the bench at Leeds. The striker swung the game at Stamford Bridge. The contributions of defenders like Konsa and Lindelof on Saturday were also vital. Right now, it's not always the whole side playing brilliantly, but sufficient individuals within it stepping up to earn the victories.

What Comes Next?

Will they be able to maintain this run? They now sit three points behind Arsenal, and as the season approaches its halfway stage, they must be viewed as part of the championship conversation, arguably more so than teams like Chelsea or defending champions Liverpool. Tuesday's away fixture at Arsenal will be a significant examination of that claim. Villa defeated Arsenal on the first weekend of December, a match in which they not only had better the xG but posted an xG forty percent higher than any other side has managed against Arsenal in the league this season.

The Gunners have since put together their own run of single-goal victories, winning three in a row without ever being entirely convincing. The upcoming clash will be a test for both teams – and if Villa secure a 12th game in a row, it would become almost impossible to dismiss their title credentials.