Villa’s troubles continue after Chelsea defeat | OneFootball

Aston Villa have now lost eight games without a win following a defeat in the Capital against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This defeat leaves Villa 12th in the Premier League, six points behind third-placed Chelsea.

The game would never be easy against a vastly improved Chelsea side that has only lost once at home this season. Without making excuses, only one of Chelsea’s starting line-up played in Europe this week whereas 9 of Villa’s starters did but we wanted European football and we must find a way to adapt. Villa have now lost in four of the five games that have followed a Champions League fixture.

Report: Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa

Unai Emery handed starts to Ezri Konsa and Jaden Philogene while Diego Carlos and Leon Bailey dropped to the bench.

The home side started quickly out of the blocks while Villa continued to be victims of their own downfall as errors continued all over the pitch – particularly through the first half.

Chelsea took the lead with the first shot on goal after seven minutes when Marc Cucurella was stronger in a challenge with Philogene following a poor first touch. The Spaniard picked out Nicholas Jackson who gave Emi Martinez no chance to score his eighth goal of the campaign.

The visitors did have chances despite their poor start with the first falling to Ollie Watkins who did well to beat Wesley Forfana but his effort on goal wasn’t as impressive.

When things are bad in football, they tend to be bad and this was the case when the referee judged Pau Torres to have backpassed the ball to Martinez when it looked like the defender had tried to control the ball. Chelsea were awarded an indirect free-kick but Martinez was big enough to deny Cole Palmer.

Martinez nearly turned from hero to villain when a poor touch with the ball allowed Jackson an opportunity to score but the Argentine was able to recover and make amends for his mistake with a top save.

The Blues were soon deservedly 2-0 up. Palmer linked up with Enzo Fernandez and the latter was allowed time before slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.

Watkins was given another opportunity late on in the first half but much like his first effort, his finishing let him down.

Robin Olsen replaced Martinez at half-time after the Argentine hurt his back earlier in the first half when collecting a ball from a corner.

The second half lacked the carnage of the first half with neither side looking a threat until Palmer scored a beauty of a goal late on to seal Villa’s fate.

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Aston Villa’s next two games are at Villa Park against Brentford and Southampton and Emery will be hoping his side can find that much needed win.