Liam Rosenior explains new Chelsea team huddle that left Aston Villa fuming

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Evening Standard

·5 mars 2026

Liam Rosenior explains new Chelsea team huddle that left Aston Villa fuming

Blues players huddled together in the centre circle at Villa Park

Liam Rosenior says he did not tell his Chelsea players to huddle in the centre circle against Aston Villa.

Vidéos OneFootball

Chelsea annoyed Villa Park as they huddled together in the centre circle before kick-off at the start of the first half and second half.

After a frustrating defeat and talk of ill-discipline against Arsenal last weekend, Rosenior said he liked that his players had taken it upon themselves to display their unity on a night they came from behind to beat Villa 4-1 and boost their Champions League hopes.

Rosenior denied it had been his idea to get the players to huddle together as Villa’s players took their positions, but admitted he had been pleased with how his squad had applied themselves in his first two months in charge.

“No, it wasn't. The idea came from the players, and I really like it because they're showing unity and togetherness and spirit, and I think you need that,” Rosenior said post-match.

“Before anything, you start talking about tactics or systems, you need a group of players willing to run and fight for each other, and in my time, I have to say, there's not been one game where I can say they haven't given everything or I was disappointed with their application, and that bodes well. They're a good group, they're a tight group, they enjoy each other's company, and that's half the battle.”

Chelsea reacted superbly to Douglas Luiz’s second-minute goal and were out of sight just past the hour mark as Joao Pedro sealed his hat-trick.

Rosenior had rung the changes, making the first big call of his Chelsea tenure by dropping goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to the bench, and praised his side’s maturity in responding to an early setback.

“For sure, you're going to have setbacks in your season, whether that's dropping points, whether that's losing games that you shouldn't, whereas conceding the first goal,” he said.

“The maturity of the team, the quality that we played with, it can be better, for sure. But in terms of the spirit and what you want to see in a team, I was really, really pleased with that tonight.”