02/05 - 19:30
02/05 - 20:00
02/05 - 20:00
02/05 - 20:00
02/05 - 20:00
03/05 - 19:30
03/05 - 19:45
03/05 - 20:00
03/05 - 19:45
03/05 - 20:00
03/05 - 20:00
Chelsea's dismal start to the season continued as the Blues succumbed to a single goal defeat to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge - the hosts seeing defender Malo Gusto sent off for a dangerous tackle early in the second-half.
Villa forward Ollie Watkins scored the all-important goal after a breakaway from a Chelsea corner - the England forward drilling home from a tight angle to claim all three points for Unai Emery's men.
The Action: Chelsea have struggled to hit the net since the start of the campaign and their tendency to carve out chances without taking them continued at the Bridge on Sunday.
Mauricio Pochettino watched Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling both denied by Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez from 1v1 situations in a frustrating first half and midfielder Enzo Fernandez also sliced wide to pass up another fantastic opportunity.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was also called into action to make impressive saves from both Lucas Digne and Nicolo Zaniolo.
Arguably the defining moment in the match came on 58 minutes, however, when Chelsea full-back Gusto lunged into a challenge on Digne near the halfway line and caught the Villa man on the ankle. Initially awarded a yellow card, Gusto received his marching orders after a VAR review to leave the Londoners a man short and with an uphill task on their hands.
Buoyed by their man advantage, Villa probed as the second half wore on - but their matchwinner actually came from a quick break from a Chelsea corner.
After the visitors cleared, Moussa Diaby latched onto the loose ball and set Watkins running towards goal. Despite his first effort being blocked, Watkins got a second bite of the cherry and made no mistake to drill home off Sanchez' far post.
Chelsea attempted to find a way back into the game, but failed to score for the third consecutive game to fall to another defeat that sees them remain 14th in the Premier League.
Man of the match: Emiliano Martinez. Villa's keeper was sharp as a tack throughout and made several big saves to keep his side in the game.
xG: Chelsea (1.44) 0-1 (1.11) Aston Villa
0-1 | ||
Ollie Watkins 73' |
