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It simply cannot continue. It makes no rational sense for it to persist. Yet, persist it does.

A Historic Triumph Against the Odds

Aston Villa entered Saturday's top-flight 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, this feat seemed improbable, as the hosts controlled proceedings, took the lead, and might have added to their advantage. But, Chelsea are vulnerability when ahead, particularly at home, while Villa now possess a remarkable habit of snatching away victories after falling behind.

First, the striker equalised, the ball ricocheting in off his shin and the post after his first effort was blocked by Robert Sánchez. Subsequently, he nodded in the winner with a precise header. These were just his fourth and fifth league goals of the campaign. Watkins might feel a bit of luck was due, and there's no question the equalizing goal had a large slice of luck. At the moment, though, fortune is favoring Villa.

The Numbers Of an Implausible Streak

Nine of these eleven straight wins have been by a solitary goal. They have managed a shutout in just one of those games. Their expected goals (xG) have been better in only six of those encounters, and in a couple of those, the margin was minimal. Their last five away Premier League victories have all come after conceding first. This formula should not, but observers have been saying that for some time, and Villa keep on winning. The central question is whether their results will finally match their displays or if their level of play can rise to justify the points haul.

This seems unsustainable be sustainable, but everyone has been saying that for a while and Villa continue winning.

A Defining Characteristic: Belief

Fighting back is not merely a feature of this season. Over the past three seasons, no team has won more points from losing positions than Villa's 54; Eighteen of those were secured this season, fifty percent more than the next best team, Sunderland. This season, Villa players from the bench have scored 9 goals. Two important observations can be made about Villa under Unai Emery.

• First, they possess a profound self-belief that means no deficit ever feels beyond them. This is, in part, self-perpetuating: the more they come from behind, the more they are convinced they can do it again.
• Second, Emery has proven very skilled at changing games through his use of the bench.

The Emery Effect

While Chelsea won the xG battle 2.1-1.4, Villa became the dominant force from the moment, around the hour mark, when Emery made a triple change. Ollie Watkins replaced Malen, who had found it difficult with limited service. Immediately, the ball began to stick, and Watkins's runs in behind created issues. Amadou Onana and Sancho also came on, bolstering the center and adding the flank presence they had lacked earlier.

Chelsea had ten attempts to Villa's none before the changes; following them, Villa created 11 chances to Chelsea's 4. By the final whistle, Villa were in control and could easily have won by a greater margin. Not for the first time, opposing manager Maresca seemed unable to react as the game slipped away; the sense remains that he is more proficient at devising a tactical plan with time to prepare than adapting in the moment.

Moment of Magic

Villa have cultivated a welcome habit of individuals producing moments of sensational quality to turn games. Morgan Rogers has scored crucial goals at Leeds, West Ham, and against Manchester United. The image of him shifting the ball onto his right foot and curling a finish into the top corner has become a seasonal leitmotif. It was the winger who transformed the game from the bench at Leeds. Watkins swung the game at Stamford Bridge. The performances of defenders like Konsa and Viktor Lindelof on Saturday were key. Right now, it's seldom the entire team playing brilliantly, but enough players within it delivering to secure the victories.

What Comes Next?

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 must be considered as part of the championship conversation, certainly more so than teams like Chelsea or defending champions Liverpool. The upcoming away game at Arsenal will be a major test 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 managed against Arsenal in the league this term.

The Gunners have assembled their own run of single-goal victories, winning three in a row without ever being wholly convincing. The upcoming clash will be a test for both teams – and if Villa secure a twelfth game in a row, it would become increasingly difficult to deny their championship pedigree.