Chelsea beat Aston Villa 3-0 on Sunday at Stamford Bridge as they underlined their potential as a legit top four contender.
WATCH — Full replay
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea were dominant from start to finish with Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez putting them 2-0 up at half time and Cole Palmer’s late stunner wrapped up the win.
Villa never really got going as Unai Emery’s side are now without a win in eight in all competitions and are lacking in confidence and lost star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to a wrist injury at half time.
Chelsea now have 25 points, level with Arsenal, as they moved six points clear of Villa.
Chelsea find a way to start their three central midfielders
Enzo Maresca seems to have stumbled upon a way to line up with Lavia, Caicedo and Fernandez from the start. It has been two from three for most of this season as Chelsea’s three start central midfielders couldn’t all start together. But on Sunday against Villa the Blues went with a slightly different approach. Caicedo play in a hybrid right back and central midfield role like John Stones has done in the past for City and did it well. Yes, Chelsea were exposed at times when Villa played it forward quickly down the left but having three center backs back there helped stopped that threat more often than not. Caicedo would drift into central midfield when Chelsea were in possession, like Malo Gusto has done from right back in recent months, and the Ecuadorian star looked comfortable in that role. When he did that it allowed both Lavia and Fernandez to step higher up the pitch and win the ball back and impact the game. Fernandez did that with his fine touch and volley to put Chelsea 2-0 up. It has taken a few months, but Maresca has found a way to prove two into three does work.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Chelsea head to bottom club Southampton on Wednesday, December 3. Aston Villa host Brentford on the same day.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa final score: 3-0
Jackson 7', Fernandez 36', Palmer 83'
Chelsea vs Aston Villa live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Magic finish from Palmer! - Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
Madueke finds Palmer on the edge of the box and he shifts the ball onto his left foot and curls a beauty into the top corner. Game. Set. Match.
Chelsea pushing to finish things off late on
Nkunku and Madueke are on and Chelsea are getting the job done with minimum fuss. They’ve kept the ball really well in this second half and Villa really haven’t had much threat going forward.
Big chance at start of the second half for Villa
A long ball finds McGinn and he’s in. His curled shot towards the far corner is pushed away well by Sanchez. Big chance for Villa and that is a warning sign for Chelsea. Also, Emiliano Martinez has not come out for the second half due to injury. Robin Olsen is on.
Half time: Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
A really lively first 45, as Chelsea have been clinical and Aston Villa have been all over the place at the back. Villa have had a few decent chances at the other end but Watkins has been denied. Chelsea cruising.
Watkins denied by Fofana
Ollie Watkins looks to be in after knocking the ball around Fofana, but the French defender recovers superbly to take the ball away just as Watkins was about to shoot.
Fernandez doubles the lead - Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
Lovely ball from Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez prods a volley into the bottom corner. Stamford Bridge erupts and that goal was coming. Villa look so shaky at the back.
Martinez denied Jackson
Jackson is played in but is stretching and Martinez bravely denies him. He takes a whack but is back up and ready to roll.
Villa block close indirect free kick
Martinez picks the ball up after Torres had touched it and Chelsea got an in-direct free kick from 10 yards out. Palmer drills it at goal with the entire Villa side lined up on the line, and Martinez blocks it then the rebound is also blocked by Kamara. Huge roars from the away end. Villa survive a big scare.
Huge chance wasted by Watkins
Oh my word, Villa should be level. Watkins robs Fofana in the box and he’s clean through. But his shot is right at Sanchez who comes flying out and does well to smother the ball. Could Watkins have squared that? Probably. But he fancied himself given the form he’s been in.
Perfect start for Chelsea as Jackson finishes! - Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
Chelsea cranked up the pressure and Villa cracked inside the first seven minutes. The ball finds Cucurella on the left side of the box and his cross is behind Nicolas Jackson but he does so well to wrap his foot around it and his shot hits the post and goes in.
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; Caicedo, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Philogene, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn; Rogers; Watkins
How to watch Chelsea vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 8:30am ET, Sunday (December 1)
Venue: Stamford Bridge — London
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live online via NBC.com
Chelsea team news, focus
Chelsea’s squad is massive and they continue to juggle Europa Conference League and Premier League action seamlessly with two different squads. Jackson, Palmer and Madueke have been superb and Pedro Neto and Joao Felix are both pushing hard to start. In midfield the duo of Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo should be preferred in this game to stop Villa’s plan of getting Jacob Ramsey the ball centrally and hitting Ollie Watkins on the counter.
OUT: Omari Kellyman (thigh), Reece James (hamstring)
Aston Villa team news, focus
Yes, Villa’s injuries have calmed down but Unai Emery is now struggling with slightly rusty players being back in the game and figuring out the right combinations. He loves to rotate but are Villa better rolling out their best lineup game after game and then subbing in some of their fringe players? Still, John McGinn and Ollie Watkins continue to create and score goals and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will be busy this weekend as Villa’s risky high-line often leaves him exposed.
OUT: Jacob Ramsey (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Amadou Onana (foot)
Chelsea vs Aston Villa prediction
This seems like it will be an open game full of counters and neither team can control games full right now. That said, Chelsea are in better form and their forwards seem more confident at the moment. Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa preview
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea won 2-1 at Leicester City last weekend and should have won by more. Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson are a real handful as a trio and the next step for them is to become more clinical individually and as a collective. Chelsea have only lost two games this season, at home to Man City in their league opener and away at Liverpool. They’re heading in the right direction and look set to be in the scrap for Champions League qualification until the bitter end.
Aston Villa have struggled with juggling their Champions League and Premier League commitments in recent weeks. Unai Emery’s side are sliding in the Premier League as they’re without a win in their last seven games in all competitions as defensive issues continue. Emery has rotated and also been hit with key injuries at the back and that has led to Villa conceding eight goals in their last three league games. They drew 2-2 at home to Crystal Palace last weekend but could have conceded more as they looked susceptible on the counter with their risky high line becoming easier to unlock.
