🔗 Share this article Aston Villa Defy Gravity Once More as Victorious Streak Continues at Chelsea It simply cannot go on. The logic defies rational sense that it persists. And yet, it does. A Record-Chasing Victory Defying Expectations Aston Villa entered Saturday's top-flight clash at Chelsea looking to equal a club record of 11 consecutive wins, matching runs set in 1897 and 1914. For much of the match, achieving it seemed improbable, as the hosts dominated proceedings, took the lead, and might have added several more. However, Chelsea have shown frailty with a lead, particularly at home, while Villa now possess a remarkable habit of securing away victories after falling behind. First, the striker leveled the scores, the ball cannoning in off his leg and the post following his initial shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Subsequently, he nodded in the decisive goal with a deft header. This marked just his fourth and fifth league goals of the season. Watkins might believe a bit of luck was overdue, and there's no question the equalizing goal had a large slice of luck. Currently, though, Lady Luck seems to be smiling on Villa. The Numbers Behind an Implausible Run 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 matches. Their expected goals (xG) have been better in only six of those fixtures, and in a couple of those, the advantage was minimal. Their last five road 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 align with their performances or if their level of play can rise to justify the points haul. This seems unsustainable be sustainable, but everybody's been saying that for a while and Villa keep on winning. A Core Characteristic: Belief Coming from behind is not just a feature of this season. Over the past 3 seasons, no side has gained more points from losing positions than Villa's 54; Eighteen of those have been secured this term, fifty percent more than the second-placed team, Sunderland. This season, Villa substitutes have contributed 9 goals. Two important observations can be made about Villa under Unai Emery. First, they possess a deep-rooted confidence that means no game ever feels beyond them. This is, to an extent, self-perpetuating: the more they come from behind, the more they are convinced they can do it again. Secondly, Emery has proven very adept at changing games with his use of the bench. A Masterful Change While Chelsea won the xG battle 2.1 to 1.4, Villa were dominant from the moment, just before the hour mark, when Emery made a triple substitution. Ollie Watkins replaced Malen, who had found it difficult with few chances. Immediately, the ball began to stick, and Watkins's runs in behind caused problems. Amadou Onana and Sancho also came on, strengthening the center and providing the flank presence they had eschewed earlier. Chelsea had 10 shots to Villa's none before the changes; afterwards, Villa had 11 chances to Chelsea's 4. By the final whistle, Villa were commanding and could have won more comfortably. 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 tactical plan with preparation time than adapting in the moment. Individual Brilliance Villa have cultivated a happy habit of players producing moments of sensational quality to alter games. Rogers has been decisive at Leeds, West Ham, and against Manchester United. The sight of him working the ball onto his favored foot and whipping a finish home has become a seasonal theme. It was the winger who transformed the game from the bench at Leeds. The striker changed the game at Stamford Bridge. The performances of players such as Ezri Konsa and Lindelof on Saturday were also vital. At present, it's not always the entire team playing flawlessly, but enough individuals within it delivering to earn the victories. The Road Ahead Can they keep going? They now sit three points behind Arsenal, and as the season approaches its halfway stage, they have to be considered as in the title race, arguably more so than club world champions Chelsea or reigning title holders Liverpool. The upcoming away game 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 forty percent higher than any other side has achieved against Arsenal in the league this season. The Gunners have assembled their own sequence of narrow victories, winning three in a row without ever being entirely convincing. Tuesday will be a test for both teams – and if Villa win a twelfth game in a row, it would become almost impossible to deny their title credentials.