ASTON VILLA fought back to defeat Chelsea 2-1 in a thriller at Villa Park.
Villa’s January loan signings Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford combined for BOTH goals as Unai Emery’s side picked up all three points.
Asensio’s late second of the game came after a howler from Blues’ keeper Filip Jorgensen.
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That’s all from Villa Park
Finally, some home comforts in the Premier League.
After a weekend of six away wins and a draw, Unai Emery’s team finally got a hosting team on the board with a come from behind triumph against Chelsea.
And much of it was down to his new loan rangers – as Marcus Rashford and Marcos Asensio combined twice to defeat the Blues.
There’s more Premier League football tomorrow, of course – and we’ll be here to cover the action when Newcastle take on Forest, and Man City welcome Liverpool.
Thanks for reading, and goodnight.
Londoners suffering from post-Xmas Blues
It all looked so good for fans of Chelsea on Christmas morning.
As they unwrapped their presents, the Blues sat second in the Premier League and just four points behind leaders Liverpool. The title challenge was on.
Since then, the Stamford Bridge club have spiralled – and it started the next day against local rivals Fulham.
Two wins in ten since Boxing Day has Chelsea sixth in the table, and a whopping 18 points off the top.
Enzo Maresca’s men have dropped 15 points from winning positions this season, and 13 of those have come since that Fulham defeat on December the 26th.
Maresca has faith in Palmer
It’s now no goals in five Premier League games for Cole Palmer, but Enzo Maresca isn’t worried about his star man.
The Chelsea manager insists that the club are delighted with the form of the 22-year-old despite him wasting a couple of decent opportunities at Villa Park when the visitors were on top.
Cole is a top player. Top players always want to win and play an important part but today he could not. He has some great chances that he missed but nothing changes. We are very happy with him.
Enzo Maresca
Momentum shifts at Villa Park
Aston Villa barely had a look-in during the opening 20 minutes this evening.
But Unai Emery’s team fought back, especially after Marcus Rashford’s half-time introduction, and ultimately deserved their win.
Youri welcome for Rashford arrival
Youri Tielemans believes Marcus Rashford can make a huge impact on this Aston Villa side.
Speaking after the forward’s cameo from the bench, the Belgian midfielder pointed to the forward’s ability to make things happen when dribbling at opponents.
I’m very pleased with the way [Marcus Rashford] is performing now and with the two assists today. He is someone who can threaten everyone one versus one and even one versus two. He is very important for us in the way he plays because he gives us something different on the left-hand side.You could tell today every time he got the ball he was dangerous and hopefully with many more minutes in his legs he will only get better.
Youri Tielemans
Rashford still singing the Blues
He may be playing for a new team, but Marcus Rashford is still causing Chelsea problems.
The 27-year-old set up both of Marco Asensio’s goal this evening which means he has now been directly involved in six goals in nine Premier League home games against Chelsea (four goals and two assists).
Only against Arsenal (8) has Rashford registered more goals and assists against in the league.
Asensio delighted by Villa response
Marco Asensio paid tribute to the Aston Villa fans after bagging a double that sent them home happy.
The Spaniard, on loan from PSG, scored twice as his new team fought back to beat Chelsea, and afterwards he revealed that he believes they are in a good shape for a European push in the final months of the season.
I am so happy. The performance from the team was incredible. The atmosphere was top. I want to thank the fans for the effort that we do together. We need to continue but the team is in the right way. I am very happy for my first goals and for the win.
Marco Asensio
From Graham Hill at Villa Park
A game to remember for Marco Asensio – one to forget for Filip Jorgensen.
Asensio – on loan from PSG – scored his first goals for the club after Enzo Fernandez had given Chelsea an early lead from Pedro Neto’s cross.
And Marcus Rashford – a second half sub – played a part in both goals.
But the late winner came as Jorgensen allowed an Asensio shot to squirm under his body. He will not want to see that again.
Villa took command after the break – although Cole Palmer should have regained the lead for Chelsea only for Ezri Konsa to make a vital clearance.
Chelsea really need a proven goalscorer – but Pedro Neto caused problems all evening.
Match stats from Villa Park
Aston Villa have now won three matches in the Premier League this season in which they trailed at half-time.
It is their joint-most ever in a Premier League season along with the 2007-08 campaign.
Full time – Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
One down at the break, Aston Villa have rallied to prevail 2-1 at Villa Park.
Marco Asensio will make the headlines with his first goals for the club, but so much changed with the half-time introduction of Marcus Rashford.
The Manchester United man added intent for Villa’s forward line, and he played his part in both goals by laying them on for his fellow loanee – albeit with help from some slapstick Chelsea defending.
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
90+5. Chelsea give up possession in the Villa half, and those in claret and blue pour forward.
Leon Bailey leads the charge and fancies his chances as he skips beyond a defender, but on this occasion Jorgensen gets out well to block.
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
90. Chelsea have seven minutes of stoppage time to rescue a game that they started so brightly…
…but look destined to end in the same shambolic manner of recent showings.
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
89. A howler from Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, and Marco Asensio looks to have won it for Aston Villa!
The home side work a corner short from which Rashford pulls a waist-high cross back to the edge of the area.
Asensio reacts well to meet it on the volley, but it’s an effort that is straight at Jorgensen, and one that everyone inside Villa Park expects to be smothered by the Danish stopper.
But somehow the ball creeps through his hands, under his body, trickles over the line, and sends the home fans into ecstasy.
A disaster for the keeper, and a damning indictment of Chelsea’s transfer dealings that have left them without a worthy number one.
Asensio at the double!
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
87. Jorgensen denies Malen!
Aston Villa have a corner.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
85. Five minutes remain at Villa Park.
And it’s the home side looking more likely now.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
83. Chelsea go into the final minutes, having only made two changes – and one of those was in the first ten minutes and due to an injury to Trevoh Chalobah.
It’s incredible that a club can spend so much money on so many players, and then still consider themselves short of options on the bench.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
81. An Aston Villa free-kick drilled into the box causes chaos, and in the confusion, Bogarde goes down under pressure.
Michael Oliver says no penalty, but VAR take a closer look at what is a pull back by Cucurella. They quickly come to the same conclusion.
Well, if Ashley Young didn’t get the decision in today’s early game then this was never happening.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
79. Fernandez is off target for the visitors.
The midfielder is not renowned for his scoring, but has registered four attempts and one goal this evening.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
77. Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers have run their race.
The attacking pair take a breather, and now it’s a chance for Leon Bailey and Donyell Malan.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is on for Chelsea, replacing Christopher Nkunku.
From Graham Hill at Villa Park
Pedro Neto curled a shot just wide of the far post after slip by Tyrone Mings – then shot straight at Martinez.
But Villa have come back into it, with half-time sub Marcus Rashford playing his part.
Matty Cash’s deep ball into the Chelsea area found Rashford who squared for Marco Asensio to score his first Villa goal.
A lengthy VAR check for offside followed, but the goal stood.
Villa then lost Tyrone Mings as the defender failed to shake off a knock. Cole Palmer has been quiet today, but he came close to regaining the lead with 22 minutes left.
It’s game on here and there for the taking from either side.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
75. Ezri Konsa saves Aston Villa!
And spares his goalkeeper’s blushes in the process.
A measured through ball from Moises Caicedo has Cole Palmer in on goal, and when Martinez foolishly rushes off his line and then slips twice, the Chelsea man looks certain to score.
However, Palmer delays his shot and that allows just enough time for Konsa to get back and block brilliantly.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
72. Now Christopher Nkunku goes into the book for a wild swipe at Morgan Rogers.
Villa have also made another switch with Andres Garcia a like-for-like replacement for Matty Cash.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
70. John McGinn is yellow carded for a foul on Marc Cucurella.
In fairness, who hasn’t fantasised about kicking him over at some point?
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
69. Cole Palmer hasn’t found his range this evening.
Space opens up for the forward on the edge of the box, but his low curler is well wide of the far post.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
