Match Report: Chelsea roar back from behind to blow away Aston Villa 4-1 | OneFootball

A magnificent Chelsea performance in a must win game saw the Blues recover from conceding an early goal to win 4-1 at Villa Park after a superb display of firepower.

With so much on the line, a rowdy Villa Park was a scary prospect, especially after Douglas Luiz flicked a ball into the net to open the scoring for the home team. But rather than fold under the pressure, Chelsea dug deep and ended up running away with a comfortable win.

With 35 minutes gone, Chelsea had wrested back control of the game, and got their goal when Malo Gusto crossed for Joao Pedro. Before the break, things could have swung the other way when Ollie Watkins scored but was ruled fractionally offside. Liam Rosenior’s team redoubled their efforts and got the goal to put them ahead before half time when Joao Pedro latched onto Enzo Fernandez’s pass and dinked a finish over Emi Martinez.

After that it was plain sailing – Villa offered little while Chelsea tore them apart on the counter time and again. Joao Pedro ended up with a hattrick after tapping in again and Cole Palmer lashed in a loose ball from the edge of the box. This was not just a six pointed in the race for the Champions League places, it was also a huge and important confidence boost for Rosenior’s team as they approach the run in.

MOTM – Joao Pedro

Analysis

Chelsea’s issue this season has often been with breaking teams down, but today Villa just opened up and let the Blues do what they want.

They played a high line but didn’t put much pressure on the ball, allowing Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo to pick out runners time and again.

Joao Pedro feasted on the crosses put into the box time and again, and Unai Emery did nothing to change things despite the clear issues his teams were having on the flanks.

If only every team could make things so easy for us…

Teams

Aston Villa Emiliano Martinez Matty Cash Ezri Konsa Tyrone Mings Ian Maatsen Amadou Onana de Paulo Douglas Luiz Leon Bailey Emiliano Buendia Morgan Rogers Ollie Watkins

Substitutes Alysson Edward (s 63′) Lamare Bogarde (s 46′) Jadon Sancho (s 63′) Tammy Abraham (s 71′) Pau Torres Lucas Digne Marco Bizot Victor Lindelof Ross Barkley (s 63′)

Chelsea Filip Jorgensen Malo Gusto Wesley Fofana Trevoh Chalobah Jorrel Hato Reece James Moises Caicedo Enzo Fernandez Cole Palmer de Jesus Joao Pedro Alejandro Garnacho

Substitutes Robert Sanchez Marc Cucurella (s 79′) Tosin Adarabioyo (s 79′) Benoit Badiashile Liam Delap (s 85′) Andrey Santos (s 85′) Mamadou Sarr Marc Guiu Romeo Lavia (s 75′)

Stats

Quote of the game

“He’s a top player. I think he’s grown in confidence. I think his hold-up play, the energy he puts into the team in terms of his press, his movement, his goal with the left foot is world-class. The finish is magnificent.” – Liam Rosenior on Joao Pedro.