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This surely should not go on. The logic defies sense for it to persist. And yet, it does.

A Historic Triumph Against the Odds

The Claret and Blue army arrived at the weekend's Premier League clash at Chelsea looking to equal a club record of 11 consecutive wins, a feat last achieved in the distant past. For much of the match, this feat seemed highly unlikely, as the hosts controlled proceedings, took the lead, and could have added several more. But, Chelsea have shown vulnerability when ahead, particularly at home, while Villa have cultivated a baffling knack of securing away victories from losing positions.

First, the striker equalised, the ball ricocheting in off his shin and the post following his first effort was saved 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. The forward might feel a bit of luck was overdue, and there's no question the first goal had a significant element of luck. Currently, however, fortune is smiling on Villa.

The Numbers Of an Unlikely Run

The last nine of these eleven straight wins were by a single goal. They have managed a shutout in only one of those games. Their underlying metrics have been better in only six of those fixtures, and in a couple of those, the advantage was minimal. Their last five away Premier League victories have all come after conceding first. This pattern seems unsustainable, yet observers have been saying that for weeks, and Villa keep on winning. The central question is whether their results will eventually match their performances or if their performances can rise to justify the points haul.

This should not be sustainable, but everyone has been saying that for a while and Villa keep on 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 fifty-four; Eighteen of those have been secured this season, fifty percent more than the second-placed team, Sunderland. This season, Villa players from the bench have contributed nine goals. Two key observations can be made about Villa under their manager.

• Firstly, they possess a profound self-belief that means no deficit ever feels insurmountable. This is, to an extent, self-perpetuating: the more they achieve comebacks, the more they believe they can do it again.
• Secondly, Emery has proven very adept at influencing games with his substitutions.

A Masterful Change

While Chelsea had the better of the expected goals 2.1 to 1.4, Villa became dominant from the moment, just before the hour mark, when Emery executed a triple change. Watkins replaced Donyell Malen, who had found it difficult with few chances. Suddenly, the ball was held up better, and Watkins's runs behind the defensive line caused problems. Onana and Jadon Sancho also entered, bolstering the center and providing the flank presence they had lacked earlier.

The Blues registered 10 shots to Villa's none before the substitutions; following them, Villa had eleven opportunities to Chelsea's 4. By the final whistle, Villa were commanding and could easily have won by a greater margin. Once again, Chelsea boss Maresca struggled to respond as the game turned against him; the sense remains that he is more proficient at devising a game plan with preparation time than adapting in the moment.

Moment of Magic

Villa have cultivated a happy habit of individuals producing moments 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 right foot and whipping a finish home has become a seasonal theme. It was the winger who changed the game from the bench at Leeds. The striker changed the game at Stamford Bridge. The contributions of players such as Konsa and Lindelof on Saturday were also vital. Right now, it's not always the whole side playing flawlessly, but sufficient players within it delivering to earn the victories.

What Comes Next?

Will they be able to keep going? They now sit three points behind Arsenal, and as the season approaches its midway point, they must be considered as part of the championship conversation, arguably more so than teams like Chelsea or defending champions Liverpool. Tuesday's away game at Arsenal will be a significant 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 forty percent higher than any other side has managed against Arsenal in the league this season.

The Gunners have assembled their own sequence of single-goal victories, winning 3 in a row without ever being wholly convincing. The upcoming clash will be a test for both sides – and if Villa win a twelfth game in a row, it would become increasingly difficult to dismiss their title credentials.