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

A Record-Chasing Triumph Defying Expectations

The Claret and Blue army arrived at Saturday's Premier League clash at Chelsea looking to equal a historic record of eleven consecutive wins, a feat last achieved in 1897 and 1914. For much of the match, this feat seemed improbable, as Chelsea dominated proceedings, secured the lead, and might have added to their advantage. But, Chelsea are vulnerability when ahead, especially at home, while Villa now possess a remarkable habit of securing wins on the road from losing positions.

First, the striker leveled the scores, the ball ricocheting in off his shin and the post after his initial shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. Subsequently, he secured the decisive goal with a precise header. These were just his fourth and fifth league goals of the campaign. The forward might feel a bit of luck was due, and it's undeniable the equalizing goal had a significant element of good fortune. Currently, though, fortune is smiling on Villa.

The Numbers Behind an Implausible Run

Nine of these 11 straight wins have been by a solitary goal. They have kept a clean sheet in just one of those games. Their underlying metrics have been better in just 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 formula should not, but observers have been claiming that for weeks, and Villa continue winning. The key question is whether their results will finally match their displays or if their level of play can rise to justify the results.

This seems unsustainable be sustainable, but everybody's been saying that for a while and Villa continue winning.

A Core Characteristic: Belief

Coming from behind is not merely a feature of the current campaign. Over the past three seasons, no side has gained more points when trailing than Villa's 54; Eighteen of those were secured this season, fifty percent more than the second-placed team, Sunderland. This season, Villa players from the bench have contributed nine goals. Two important observations can be made about Villa under their manager.

• First, they possess a profound self-belief that means no game ever feels insurmountable. This is, to an extent, a virtuous cycle: the more they achieve comebacks, the more they believe they can do it once more.
• Secondly, Emery has proven very adept at changing games through his use of the bench.

A Masterful Change

While Chelsea had the better of the xG battle 2.1 to 1.4, Villa were dominant from the moment, around the hour mark, when Emery made a triple change. Watkins replaced Malen, who had found it difficult with limited service. Suddenly, the ball began to stick, and Watkins's movement in behind created issues. Amadou Onana and Jadon Sancho also entered, bolstering the midfield and providing the flank presence they had eschewed earlier.

The Blues registered 10 shots to Villa's zero before the substitutions; following them, Villa created 11 chances to Chelsea's 4. By the final whistle, Villa were commanding and could easily have won by a greater margin. Once again, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca struggled to respond as the game slipped away; the impression remains that he is more proficient at implementing a tactical plan with preparation time than adapting on the fly.

Individual Brilliance

Villa have cultivated a welcome habit of individuals 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 shifting the ball onto his favored foot and curling a finish home has become a recurring theme. It was Malen who transformed the game from the bench at Leeds. The striker changed the game at Stamford Bridge. The contributions of defenders like Konsa and Lindelof on Saturday were key. At present, it's not always the whole side playing brilliantly, but enough 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 Arsenal, and as the season nears its midway point, they have to be viewed as in the championship conversation, arguably more so than club world champions Chelsea or reigning title holders Liverpool. The upcoming away game at Arsenal will be a major test of that status. Villa beat Arsenal earlier this month, a match in which they not only had better the xG but registered an xG 40% higher than any other side has managed against Arsenal in the league this season.

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 win a 12th game in a row, it would become increasingly difficult to deny their title credentials.