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This surely should not go on. The logic defies sense that it persists. And yet, it does.

A Record-Chasing Triumph Against the Odds

Aston Villa entered the weekend's top-flight encounter at Chelsea looking to equal a club record of 11 consecutive wins, matching runs set in the distant past. For the opening hour, achieving it seemed improbable, as the hosts controlled proceedings, secured the lead, and could have added several more. However, Chelsea have shown vulnerability with a lead, especially at home, while Villa now possess a baffling habit of securing wins on the road after falling behind.

First, the striker equalised, the ball ricocheting in off his leg and the post after his first effort was blocked by Robert Sánchez. Later on, he secured the decisive goal with a deft header. These were just his fourth and fifth league goals of the campaign. Watkins might feel some fortune was overdue, and it's undeniable the equalizing goal had a significant element of luck. At the moment, however, Lady Luck is smiling on Villa.

The Statistics Behind an Implausible Streak

The last nine of these 11 straight wins have been by a solitary goal. They have managed a clean sheet in only one of those games. Their underlying metrics have been superior in just six of those encounters, and in a couple of those, the advantage was minimal. Their last five away Premier League victories have all come after conceding first. This formula should not, but pundits have been saying that for some time, and Villa keep on winning. The key question is whether their results will finally match their performances or if their level of play can improve to justify the points haul.

This seems unsustainable be possible, but everyone has been saying that for weeks and Villa continue winning.

A Core Characteristic: Belief

Coming from behind is not just a trait of this season. Over the past three seasons, no team has gained more points when trailing than Villa's 54; Eighteen of those were secured this season, 50% more than the second-placed team, Sunderland. This season, Villa substitutes have scored 9 goals. Two important points 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, in part, self-perpetuating: the more they achieve comebacks, the more they are convinced they can do it once more.
• Secondly, Emery has proven very skilled at changing games through his use of the bench.

The Emery Effect

While Chelsea won 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 substitution. Watkins came on for Donyell Malen, who had struggled with limited service. Suddenly, the ball was held up better, and Watkins's movement behind the defensive line created issues. Onana and Sancho also entered, strengthening the midfield and adding the flank presence they had eschewed earlier.

The Blues registered ten attempts to Villa's zero before the changes; following them, Villa had eleven opportunities to Chelsea's four. By the final whistle, Villa were in control and could have won by a greater margin. Not for the first time, opposing manager Maresca struggled to react as the game turned against him; the impression remains that he is more proficient at implementing a tactical plan with time to prepare than adapting in the moment.

Individual Brilliance

Villa have also developed a happy habit of individuals producing pieces of sensational quality to turn 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 whipping a finish home has become a seasonal leitmotif. It was Malen who transformed the game from the bench at Leeds. Watkins changed the game at Stamford Bridge. The performances of players such as Konsa and Viktor Lindelof on Saturday were also vital. Right now, it's seldom the entire team playing brilliantly, but enough individuals within it delivering to earn the victories.

The Road Ahead

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 in the championship conversation, arguably more so than club world champions Chelsea or reigning title holders Liverpool. Tuesday's away game at Arsenal will be a major examination of that status. Villa defeated Arsenal on the first weekend of December, a match in which they not only won the xG but posted an xG forty percent higher than any other side has achieved against Arsenal in the league this season.

The Gunners have since put together their own sequence of narrow victories, winning 3 in a row without ever being wholly convincing. The upcoming clash will be a test for both teams – and if Villa win a twelfth game in a row, it would become almost impossible to dismiss their championship pedigree.