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This surely should not continue. The logic defies sense that it persists. Yet, persist it does.

A Record-Chasing Victory Against the Odds

The Claret and Blue army arrived at Saturday's top-flight encounter at Chelsea aiming for a club record of 11 consecutive wins, matching runs set in the distant past. For the opening hour, this feat seemed improbable, as the hosts controlled proceedings, took the lead, and could have added to their advantage. However, Chelsea have shown vulnerability with a lead, especially at home, while Villa now possess a remarkable habit of securing wins on the road after falling behind.

First, Ollie Watkins leveled the scores, the ball cannoning in off his leg and the post following his first effort was saved by the goalkeeper. Subsequently, he secured the winner with a deft header. This marked just his fourth and fifth league goals of the season. Watkins might feel a bit of luck was due, and there's no question the first goal involved a significant element of good fortune. Currently, however, Lady Luck seems to be favoring Villa.

The Numbers Of an Implausible Run

Nine of these eleven straight wins were by a solitary goal. They have kept a clean sheet in only one of those matches. Their expected goals (xG) have been superior in only 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 pundits have been saying that for some time, and Villa continue winning. The key question is whether their results will finally align with their performances or if their level of play can improve to match the results.

This seems unsustainable be sustainable, but everyone has been stating that for a while and Villa keep on winning.

A Core Trait: Belief

Coming from behind is not just a feature of the current campaign. Over the past 3 seasons, no team has gained more points from losing positions than Villa's fifty-four; 18 of those have been secured this season, 50% more than the second-placed team, Sunderland. This season, Villa players from the bench have scored 9 goals. Two important observations can be made about Villa under their manager.

• Firstly, they possess a profound self-belief 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 are convinced they can do it again.
• Second, Emery has proven very adept at changing games with his use of the bench.

A Masterful Change

While Chelsea won the expected goals 2.1 to 1.4, Villa were the dominant force from the moment, around the hour mark, when Emery made a triple substitution. Ollie Watkins came on for Malen, who had struggled with few chances. Suddenly, the ball began to stick, and Watkins's runs behind the defensive line created issues. Amadou Onana and Sancho also came on, bolstering the center and adding the width they had eschewed earlier.

Chelsea had ten attempts to Villa's none before the substitutions; afterwards, Villa had eleven opportunities to Chelsea's 4. By the final whistle, Villa were in control and could easily have won more comfortably. Once again, opposing manager Enzo Maresca struggled to respond as the game turned against him; the impression remains that he is better at devising a game plan with preparation time than making adjustments in the moment.

Moment of Magic

Villa have also developed a happy habit of players producing pieces of match-winning quality to alter games. Morgan 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 curling a finish into the top corner has become a seasonal leitmotif. It was Malen who changed the game after coming on at Leeds. Watkins swung the game at Stamford Bridge. The contributions of players such as Ezri Konsa and Lindelof on Saturday were key. Right now, it's seldom the whole side playing flawlessly, but sufficient individuals within it stepping up to earn the victories.

The Road Ahead

Will they be able to keep going? They now sit three points behind the league leaders, and as the season nears its midway point, they have to be viewed as in the championship conversation, certainly more so than club world champions Chelsea or reigning title holders Liverpool. The upcoming away fixture at Arsenal will be a major examination of that status. Villa defeated Arsenal earlier this month, a match in which they not only won the xG but registered an xG forty percent higher than any other side has achieved against Arsenal in the league this term.

The Gunners have assembled their own run of single-goal victories, winning 3 in a row without ever being wholly convincing. Tuesday will be a challenge for both sides – and if Villa secure a 12th game in a row, it would become almost impossible to dismiss their title credentials.