Chelsea made an horrendous start to the game, conceding inside of two minutes — thanks to a lovely flick from Douglas Luiz. Of course it was Douglas Luiz, linked with Chelsea in January before returning to Villa instead.
After that early setback, Chelsea set about starting the game for real, and we took control of proceedings quite quickly. Villa were happy to sit back and look to counter, but the Blues were still creating dangerous situations and chances.
A prime Cole Palmer might have had a goal
or two, while a foul on Reece James was probably a penalty (but not given because reasons). Thankfully the equalizer would arrive just the same, right past the half-hour mark, with Malo Gusto picking out João Pedro perfectly.
And it was JP again to give Chelsea the lead just before half time, staying onside by millimeters not long after Ollie Watkins strayed offside by the same margin at the other end to see a goal ruled out. Thanks, VAR!
Villa came out to play after the break, but Chelsea were able to take advantage of their increased openness by hitting them on the counter: Palmer striking it straight and true this time to score a non-penalty goal and give Chelsea a two-goal cushion.
The Blues would then waste multiple glorious opportunities on the counter to increase our lead, while Watkins made a massive hash of practically an open net after a loose pass at the back gifted him possession.
Villa grew increasingly desperate to get back into the game, as Emery rang the changes, with Jadon Sancho and Ross Barkley among those coming on. But it was Chelsea who would strike again, JP completing his hat-trick, this time set up by Alejandro Garnacho.
There were still 25 minutes to go, plus stoppage time, but thankfully the match was practically over at that point. Garnacho could’ve made it five but couldn’t beat his international teammate on a tap-in while Chelsea were able to deal with anything mustered up by a half-willing home side playing to a half-empty stadium. When we couldn’t, Tammy hit the crossbar.
Carefree.
- Jörgensen gets the surprise start: “technical decision”; Bob benched after his Arsenal performance
- JP’s hat-trick assisted by: Gusto, Enzo, Garnacho; JP himself picked up the assist on Palmer’s goal
- 14 goals in the league for JP, a new career high; 17 in all competitions, just three off his career high now
- Palmer scores from open play for the first time since November
- Bit concerning to see Fofana sitting on the ground, holding his right hamstring
- Lavia with another 15 minutes; Cucu makes his return from injury as well
- Nice to see Tammy Abraham back in the Premier League
- Chelsea move back up to fifth, just three points behind Villa in fourth
- Next up: Wrexham in the FA Cup Round of 16, on Saturday
- KTBFFH
