Chelsea 1-2 Aston Villa: Super-sub Watkins scores twice as ruthless Villans stay perfect | OneFootball

Aston Villa once again demonstrated their title credentials by coming from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, keeping pace with the Premier League leaders after another statement victory.

Unai Emery’s side recorded an 11th consecutive win in all competitions, overturning a first-half deficit with a dominant second-half display led by Ollie Watkins off the bench.

Chelsea were the sharper side for much of the opening period and deservedly went ahead after sustained pressure.

Their breakthrough arrived in the 37th minute when Joao Pedro reacted quickest in a crowded penalty area to prod home from close range after Reece James’ corner caused confusion.

Villa struggled to impose themselves before the interval and looked second best against a Chelsea side that pressed aggressively and controlled the tempo.

Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez both went close as the hosts pushed for a second goal that would have reflected their dominance.

Emery, however, altered the course of the contest just before the hour mark with a decisive triple substitution.

Ollie Watkins, Amadou Onana and Jadon Sancho were introduced, replacing Emiliano Buendia, John McGinn and Donyell Malen.

The impact was immediate and dramatic as Villa suddenly carried pace, power and intent in the final third.

Within four minutes of his introduction, Watkins brought Villa level after latching on to Morgan Rogers’ through ball.

Robert Sanchez saved the striker’s initial effort, but Watkins reacted quickest to force the rebound over the line.

The equaliser completely shifted the momentum and left Chelsea struggling to regain their earlier control.

Villa poured forward with growing confidence, forcing Sanchez into sharp saves from Ian Maatsen and Boubacar Kamara.

Chelsea, by contrast, began to retreat and their composure evaporated under sustained pressure.

Watkins completed the turnaround in the 84th minute with a commanding header from Youri Tielemans’ corner.

The striker rose unchallenged to power the ball beyond Sanchez, underlining his importance even when deployed from the bench.

Stamford Bridge fell silent as Villa celebrated another comeback that has become a defining feature of their season.

Chelsea attempted to respond late on but lacked the cohesion and intensity that had characterised their first-half performance.

The defeat leaves them outside the top four and continues a worrying run of dropped points after promising starts.

The victory keeps Villa firmly in the title conversation and just three points behind league leaders Arsenal.

It also extended Emery’s remarkable influence, with his in-game management again proving decisive at a crucial moment.