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This surely should not continue. The logic defies sense for it to persist. Yet, persist it does.

A Historic Victory Against the Odds

Aston Villa entered Saturday's top-flight clash at Chelsea aiming for a club 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 dominated proceedings, secured the lead, and could have added several more. But, Chelsea have shown frailty with a lead, especially at home, while Villa have cultivated a remarkable habit of snatching wins on the road from losing positions.

First, the striker equalised, the ball ricocheting in off his leg and the post after his initial shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. Subsequently, he secured the winner with a precise header. These were just his fourth and fifth league goals of the season. The forward might feel some fortune was overdue, and it's undeniable the equalizing goal had a large slice of good fortune. At the moment, though, fortune is favoring Villa.

The Numbers Behind an Unlikely Streak

Nine of these 11 straight wins have been by a solitary goal. They have managed a clean sheet in only one of those matches. Their expected goals (xG) have been superior in just six of those encounters, and in two of those, the advantage was minimal. Their last five road Premier League victories have all come after conceding first. This formula seems unsustainable, yet pundits have been claiming that for some time, and Villa continue winning. The central question is whether their results will finally match their performances or if their performances can improve to justify the points haul.

This should not be sustainable, but everyone has been saying that for weeks and Villa continue winning.

A Defining Characteristic: Resilience

Fighting back is not just a trait of the current campaign. Over the past three seasons, no team has won more points from losing positions than Villa's fifty-four; 18 of those were secured this season, 50% more than the second-placed team, Sunderland. This season, Villa players from the bench have scored 9 goals. Two key observations can be made about Villa under their manager.

• First, they possess a deep-rooted self-belief that means no game ever feels beyond them. This is, in part, self-perpetuating: the more they achieve comebacks, the more they believe 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 had the better of the expected goals 2.1 to 1.4, Villa were dominant 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 was held up better, and Watkins's runs in behind caused problems. Onana and Jadon Sancho also came on, bolstering the midfield and adding the width they had eschewed earlier.

Chelsea had 10 shots to Villa's none before the substitutions; following them, Villa created 11 chances to Chelsea's four. By the final whistle, Villa were in control and could easily have won by a greater margin. Once again, opposing manager Enzo Maresca seemed unable to respond as the game turned against him; the impression remains that he is more proficient at implementing a game plan with preparation time than making adjustments on the fly.

Moment of Magic

Villa have also developed a welcome habit of individuals producing pieces of match-winning quality to turn games. Rogers has been decisive at Leeds, West Ham, and against Manchester United. The image of him working the ball onto his favored foot and curling a finish home has become a recurring theme. It was the winger who transformed the game after coming on at Leeds. The striker swung the game at Stamford Bridge. The performances of defenders like Ezri Konsa and Viktor Lindelof on Saturday were key. At present, it's seldom the whole side playing brilliantly, but sufficient individuals within it delivering to earn the victories.

The Road Ahead

Can they keep going? They now sit three points behind the league leaders, and as the season approaches its halfway stage, they have to be viewed as in the title race, arguably 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 claim. Villa beat Arsenal earlier this month, a match in which they not only won the xG but posted an xG 40% higher than any other side has achieved against Arsenal in the league this season.

The Gunners have since put together their own run of single-goal victories, winning 3 in a row without ever being wholly convincing. The upcoming clash will be a challenge for both sides – and if Villa secure a twelfth game in a row, it would become almost impossible to deny their title credentials.