The Villans Defy All Gravity Again as Winning Run Rolls On at Stamford Bridge

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

A Record-Chasing Triumph Defying Expectations

The Claret and Blue army arrived at the weekend's top-flight encounter at Chelsea looking to equal a club record of eleven consecutive wins, a feat last achieved in the distant past. For the opening hour, this feat seemed improbable, as Chelsea controlled proceedings, secured the lead, and might have added several more. But, Chelsea have shown vulnerability with a lead, particularly at home, while Villa have cultivated a baffling habit of securing away victories after falling behind.

First, the striker equalised, the ball cannoning in off his shin and the post after his initial shot was saved by Robert Sánchez. Later on, he nodded in the decisive goal with a precise header. This marked just his fourth and fifth league goals of the season. The forward might feel a bit of luck was overdue, and it's undeniable the equalizing goal had a significant element of luck. At the moment, though, Lady Luck seems to be smiling on Villa.

The Numbers Of an Implausible Streak

The last nine of these 11 straight wins have been by a single goal. They have managed a shutout in just one of those games. Their underlying metrics have been superior in only six of those fixtures, and in two of those, the margin was minimal. Their last five road Premier League victories have all come from behind. This formula seems unsustainable, yet observers have been claiming that for weeks, and Villa continue winning. The central question is whether their outcomes will finally align with their performances or if their level of play can improve to justify the results.

This should not be possible, but everyone has been saying that for weeks and Villa keep on winning.

A Defining Trait: Belief

Coming from behind is not just a feature of this season. Over the past 3 seasons, no team has won more points from losing positions than Villa's 54; 18 of those were secured this term, fifty percent more than the second-placed team, Sunderland. This season, Villa players from the bench have contributed 9 goals. Two key points can be made about Villa under Unai Emery.

• First, they possess a deep-rooted self-belief that means no deficit ever feels insurmountable. This is, to an extent, self-perpetuating: the more they achieve comebacks, the more they are convinced they can do it once more.
• Secondly, Emery has proven exceptionally adept at influencing 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, just before the hour mark, when Emery made a triple change. Watkins came on for Donyell Malen, who had found it difficult with limited service. Immediately, the ball began to stick, and Watkins's runs behind the defensive line caused problems. Onana and Sancho also came on, strengthening the midfield and adding the width they had eschewed earlier.

The Blues registered ten attempts to Villa's none before the changes; afterwards, Villa created eleven opportunities to Chelsea's four. By the end, Villa were commanding and could easily have won by a greater margin. Once again, opposing manager Enzo Maresca seemed unable to react as the game slipped away; the sense remains that he is better at devising a tactical plan with time to prepare than adapting on the fly.

Moment of Magic

Villa have cultivated a welcome habit of individuals producing pieces of match-winning quality to turn games. Morgan 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 into the top corner has become a seasonal leitmotif. It was Malen who changed the game from the bench at Leeds. The striker swung the game at Stamford Bridge. The contributions of players such as Ezri Konsa and Lindelof on Saturday were key. Right now, it's seldom the whole side playing brilliantly, but sufficient players within it stepping up to secure the victories.

The Road Ahead

Can they maintain this run? They now sit three points behind the league leaders, and as the season nears its midway point, they must be considered as in the title race, 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 on the first weekend of December, a match in which they not only won the xG but posted an xG 40% higher than any other side has managed against Arsenal in the league this term.

The Gunners have assembled their own sequence of single-goal victories, winning three in a row without ever being wholly convincing. Tuesday will be a challenge for both sides – and if Villa secure a 12th game in a row, it would become increasingly difficult to dismiss their championship pedigree.