“Go with your gut” – Liam Rosenior lifts the lid on huge decision against Aston Villa | OneFootball

Liam Rosenior has revealed he dropped Robert Sanchez for Chelsea’s crucial game against Aston Villa because of a “gut feeling” in training.

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The Blues ran out Emphatic 4-1 winners at Villa Park, despite making a poor start and going a goal down in the opening five minutes.

However, they roared back as Joao Pedro scored a hat-trick, and Cole Palmer also got himself on the scoresheet as Chelsea moved above Liverpool into fifth.

Liam Rosenior on decision to drop Robert Sanchez

Rosenior sprung a huge surprise when the starting line-up was announced, with Filip Jorgensen replacing Sanchez.

Sanchez received criticism for his performance in Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal, but the thought of him being dropped for this game wasn’t something many thought would happen.

Jorgensen was handed a surprise start against Aston Villa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Jorgensen has played second fiddle for Sanchez for the majority of his time at Stamford Bridge since arriving from Villarreal in the summer of 2024.

Rosenior has previously explained he doesn’t have a first choice keeper, and revealed he dropped Sanchez due to a gut feeling.

“Rob [Sanchez] is an outstanding goalkeeper,” he told reporters.

“I just saw Filip [Jorgensen] in training and sometimes as a manager you have to go with your gut.

“Filip gave us something different and they will both be fighting it out for the rest of the season.”

Chelsea close the gap in the race for Champions League football

The win against Villa could be a pivotal moment in Chelsea’s season, with the gap to Unai Emery’s men in fourth now just three points.

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With Manchester United also losing it means the Blues are also three points behind them in third, with the Red Devils still yet to visit Stamford Bridge.

The win against Villa will only mean something if Chelsea can follow it up with a win against Newcastle in their next league game on March 14th.

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