Super-sub Ollie Watkins scored a brace as Aston Villa staged an incredible comeback to beat Chelsea 2-1 and move towards the title with a club-record 11 consecutive wins.
Make no mistake: Unai Emery’s Villa are three points clear of the top of the Premier League title race and will face Arsenal on Tuesday for a chance to equal the league leaders.
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Ollie Watkins scores again to complete Aston Villa’s comeback at Chelsea
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Replace Aston Villa’s level at Stamford Bridge with Ollie Watkins.
They certainly didn’t look like champion contenders in the first hour at Stamford Bridge, where they were slammed against the ropes by a Chelsea side who took the lead from a Reece James corner through a touch from Joao Pedro.
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Joao Pedro puts Chelsea ahead against Aston Villa
But Emery’s stunning triple change changed the narrative, with Benoît Badiashile’s mistake allowing Watkins to force home the equaliser, and in the 84th minute the striker surged forward to head in Youri Tielemans’ corner kick, sparking wild celebrations from the visiting supporters and the dugout.
“A tactical genius” were the words Watkins later used to describe Emery to Sky Sports.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was suspended and sat behind the press box, looking devastated. Villa have won more points than any other side despite losing positions, but Maresca’s young side should never have put them back in this competition.
Excellent work from Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez to deny Joao Pedro and a mishit cross from James, but also wasteful finishing from Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandes meant Chelsea lost complete control of the game.
Villa’s title challenge is alive – Chelsea’s hopes of a top-four finish have been confirmed. They remain in fifth place, 13 points off the leaders.
“One of the most influential subs in Premier League history”
Aston Villa transformed with three substitutions in the 59th minute.
Chelsea had 71 percent possession in the first half and had an expected goals scored of 1.93. Villa didn’t get a single shot.
It looked as though the game would continue in the same vein after the break, but Alejandro Garnacho’s cross hit Ian Maassen, who withstood cries of handball from Chelsea players for a penalty. VAR determined his arm was in a natural position. John McGinn also played a key role in defense, stopping Garnacho’s quick counterattacks.
However, when Emery introduced Watkins, Jadon Sancho and Amadou Onana, Villa’s intensity and attacking thrust changed completely, especially with Watkins running in behind the Chelsea defence. Villa could have added a second goal to Watkins’ equalizer sooner, with Sanchez able to deny Marksen and the Englishman sharply.
But there was no denying Watkins’ stunning header. Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp said after the match: “That was one of the biggest impacts of a sub in the history of the Premier League.” “(Watkins) completely changed the atmosphere of the game. He was just incredible.”
Chelsea’s triple subs of Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Maro Gusto 10 minutes after Villa’s key change failed to have the desired effect and stood out in contrast to Villa’s transformation. In the end, it was Emery who won the tactical battle in the match.
Are Villa genuine title contenders?
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Jamie Redknapp and Steve Sidwell discuss Aston Villa’s chances in the Premier League title race
Jamie Redknapp of Sky Sports:
“Aston Villa are full of confidence. In terms of winning the title, I’m a big fan of the manager and the players, but I’m concerned about whether they have a strong enough squad. The January transfer window will be very important for them. So if they can strengthen the squad, they will have a chance.”
“I feel that Arsenal and Man City are a little ahead of them at the moment, but they are doing surprisingly well. One thing is certain about him (Emery): he knows how to win the competition. He is a good tactician and a great manager.”
Emery talks about Villa’s Premier League prospects
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery:
“We’ll talk about it on day 34. We’re on day 18. Our next game is day 19 and we’re playing Arsenal and Nottingham Forest next week.
“If the league game ended against Arsenal, we would be in the race for the title, but there are teams like Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea who are more competitive than us.
“We are competing very well and getting better. Two months ago we were talking about another moment and we were worried. Now we are happy. We learned a lot from the process two months ago and now we are humble and realistic and understand what we can do in each game, in each competition.”
Maresca says Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty at 1-0
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca:
“By the time they scored the first goal, we must have already scored two or three goals. After we conceded, the flow of the game changed a little bit. It’s frustrating. Also, I don’t think there was a 10-point difference between us and them in the game, so it was even worse.”
“Off the ball we were very good. On the ball we were also very good and created chances. We started the second half the same way but the goals we conceded changed the course of the game.”
Regarding the penalty, he said: “It looks like a penalty. It’s obviously a handball and (Pedro) Neto is behind him so he could have tapped in, but the referee decided no.”
