Chelsea surrendered control of a dominant first half as Aston Villa stormed back to claim a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge, with Ollie Watkins scoring twice to extend the visitors’ remarkable winning run to 11 matches and deal a major blow to the Blues’ title hopes.
Joao Pedro had given Chelsea a deserved lead before the break after sustained pressure, but Enzo Maresca’s side unravelled after the interval. Watkins took full advantage, first bundling home an equaliser before powering in a late header to complete the turnaround on Saturday night.
Chelsea were sharper from the opening whistle and looked determined to impose themselves despite Villa’s form. Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez both tested the visitors early, while Pedro went close before eventually finding the net. Villa, by contrast, struggled to register a meaningful attack in a first half where they failed to generate a single expected goal.
The result carries significant weight in the Premier League race. Villa’s win moves them level with an all time club record of 11 consecutive victories and keeps Unai Emery’s side firmly in the hunt near the top of the table. Chelsea, meanwhile, slip 10 points behind third placed Villa and 13 adrift of leaders Arsenal, a gap that leaves their title ambitions looking increasingly remote.
Under the lights at Stamford Bridge, the home crowd sensed an opportunity as Chelsea dictated the tempo early on. Reece James was influential from right back, while Palmer drifted into pockets of space to link play. Villa sat deep and absorbed pressure, relying on discipline rather than fluency as Chelsea pushed for an opener.
The first clear warning came when Emi Martinez denied Pedro at close range, spreading himself brilliantly. James then flashed a shot wide before his delivery finally made the breakthrough in the 37th minute. His floated corner struck Pedro at the back post and deflected into the net from point blank range.
Chelsea continued to threaten after the restart and should have doubled their advantage. A last ditch interception from John McGinn denied Alejandro Garnacho a tap in, while James nearly caught Martinez out with a long range cross that drifted dangerously towards goal.
Villa’s revival began just after the hour mark. Watkins reacted quickest in the box to bundle the ball past Robert Sanchez, punishing Chelsea’s failure to put the game to bed. The equaliser shifted the momentum instantly, with the visitors suddenly playing with confidence and urgency.
Sanchez was forced into action to keep out a fierce drive from Ian Maatsen as Villa pressed for a winner. Chelsea struggled to regain control, their midfield losing grip as Villa’s substitutes injected energy and belief.
The decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute. From a well worked corner, Watkins rose above his marker and powered a header beyond Sanchez, completing his brace and silencing the home crowd. It was a finish that underlined his growing influence and composure in decisive moments.
Chelsea pushed forward late on but lacked conviction, while Villa managed the closing stages with assurance. Emery’s tactical changes proved decisive, contrasting sharply with a frustrating evening for Maresca on the touchline.
For Villa, the victory reinforces their momentum and belief as the season enters a crucial phase. For Chelsea, it is another painful lesson in game management, one that leaves them with ground to make up and little margin for error in the weeks ahead.
