Aston Villa secured their first win in six league games on Saturday night, defeating Chelsea 2-1 at Villa Park. The match was marked by Chelsea's struggles, highlighted by another late collapse, where Villa came from behind to claim all three points.
Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring for Chelsea just nine minutes after kickoff, tapping home a precise cross from Pedro Neto, who had been lined up as a central striker. Despite the early flourish, Chelsea's momentum quickly diminished. Fernandez's goal came as a response to the injury of Trevoh Chalobah, who was forcefully substituted out just eight minutes after the start.
Villa, revitalized by their attacking plan, grew more aggressive as the match progressed. Ollie Watkins was at the forefront of this charge and consistently threatened Chelsea’s goal. Chelsea's goalkeeper, Filip Jorgensen, had to make several key saves to keep the visitors ahead, saving shots from Watkins on multiple occasions.
Midway through the first half, Chelsea seemed to lose their grip on the match. Enzo Fernandez attempted to extend the lead but was unable to convert, with his efforts just missing the mark. The home side pushed back, creating several chances but could not find the equalizer before halftime, trailing Chelsea 1-0.
The second half proved pivotal. Marcus Rashford, who was introduced after the break, played a notable role and made his presence felt immediately. He combined with Marco Assensio, who bundled the ball home to level the score at 1-1 just before the hour mark. This equalizer came after VAR intervention ruled it onside, as Rashford repositioned to redirect the cross from Matty Cash effectively.
Just as Chelsea looked to regain composure, Villa seized momentum. Cole Palmer aimed to restore the lead for Chelsea but squandered opportunities when it mattered most, failing to convert on two significant chances. Meanwhile, Villa's defense, under pressure, held firm.
Villa's continued pressure culminated when Rashford set up Assensio again, who volleyed the ball toward the goal. Unfortunately for Chelsea, Jorgensen misjudged the attempt, allowing it to slip underneath him and across the line. The late winner sent the home crowd roaring and secured Villa's much-needed victory.
This loss compounds Chelsea's troubles; having now lost three consecutive matches, they remain stranded on just nine points from their last thirty possible. Manager Enzo Maresca, facing mounting pressure, noted, "We need to recapture our early form and eliminate mistakes if we are to contend this season."
With this win, Aston Villa has positioned itself only one point behind Chelsea and is eyeing the top four as they continue to build confidence.
What does this mean for Chelsea moving forward? With back-to-back losses pressing on the team, the Blues will need to rebound quickly, as their next game is against bottom-dwelling Southampton. The upcoming fixtures will be pivotal to reestablishing their standing before the winter transfer window opens. For Villa, this victory could be the catalyst for revitalizing their season as players regain form and fitness.