Cole Palmer scored Chelsea's third against Aston Villa
Cole Palmer scored Chelsea's third against Aston Villa
Aston Villa fell to their third defeat in their last four Premier League games, losing 3-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring in the seventh minute, before Enzo Fernandez doubled the lead and Cole Palmer added a third late on. Unai Emery’s side have now winless in their last eight matches in all competitions.
Villa were also dealt a blow ahead of next week’s home matches against Brentford and Southampton as Emi Martinez was replaced by Robin Olsen at half-time after appearing to be in some discomfort.
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It was a strange half for Martinez, who gave away an indirect free-kick and also passed the ball straight to Jackson inside the box. He rectified for both mistakes by making excellent saves, but was beaten twice in the first half.
Ollie Watkins missed two big chances either side of Chelsea’s goals as he failed to beat Robert Sanchez in a one-on-one shortly after Jackson broke the deadlock, before Jaden Philogene set him at the end of the half, but his finish was tame again.
Jhon Duran, Leon Bailey and Ross Barkley were brought on around the hour mark, but Villa failed to really test Sanchez, who kept his first clean sheet in the league since September.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez had a mixed first half, before he was replaced by Olsen after appearing to be in some discomfort. He gave away an indirect free-kick, but then made a top save to block Palmer's resulting effort. He then gave the ball straight to Jackson inside the box before clawing it from his feet afterwards. 5
Matty Cash
Cash deserved to keep his place in the side after a strong performance against Juventus, which was his debut in the Champions League. Marc Cucurella and Jaden Sancho combined well on the flank and Cash required support from Philogene. 6
Ezri Konsa
Konsa returned to the starting XI, replacing Diego Carlos. He tried to get a block on Jackson's finish which opened the scoring, but was too static. In the second half, the centre-back failed to deal with a ball over the top, allowing Jackson to run through on goal, but he failed to take full advantage. 5
Pau Torres
Villa aren't controlling games like they managed last season and Torres played a key role in that. It was another testing afternoon for Villa's backline, but Torres did defend well late on when he prevented Cole Palmer from having the opportunity to add a third. 5
Lucas Digne
Digne broke forward well and set up Villa's first chance of the game, but Philogene didn't take advantage at the back post. He dealt with Pedro Neto and then Noni Madueke well for the most part. 6
Boubacar Kamara
Kamara made a big block after Martinez saved Palmer's initial effort from the indirect free-kick in the first half. He was replaced by Barkley in the 62nd minute. 6
Youri Tielemans
Tielemans tried to make things happen, registering six passes into the final third. Villa were too easy to play through at times with the likes of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia enjoying their afternoon. 5
Jaden Philogene
Philogene lost the ball before Chelsea went in front as Cucurella then crossed it for Jackson to convert. He rolled the ball across the box for Watkins at the end of the first half, but the striker's effort was tame. Philogene was booked for diving at the start of the second period. 5
John McGinn
As Villa struggled to control the match for extended spells, McGinn helped his teammates get up the pitch by shielding possession and carrying it upfield. Ultimately, Villa didn't take their chances when they came. 5
Morgan Rogers
Rogers drifted out to the left at some points, swapping with McGinn. He carried the ball well when he managed to turn, but Chelsea were able to limit his threat. 5
Ollie Watkins
Watkins missed a golden chance shortly after Chelsea's opener and then failed to take another chance before the break. Both of his finishes were tame. He worked hard off the ball and pressed well, but didn't put the ball in the back of the net. 5
SUBS
Robin Olsen (for Martinez, 45'): Olsen made a strong save to deny Joao Felix at the end of the second half. Nothing he could do about Palmer's effort which bent into the top corner. 6
Ross Barkley (for Kamara, 62'): Barkley was given a warm welcome back to Stamford Bridge. He used the ball well, but the game was all but over when he came on as Villa lacked quality throughout the match. 6
Jhon Duran (for Rogers, 66'): Duran came closest to scoring for Villa in the second half when his header was blocked by Levi Colwill. 6
Leon Bailey (for Philogene, 66'): Emery started Philogene, presumably to add more defensive protection on the right flank. Bailey got into a few promising positions, but his final ball was lacking. 5
Emi Buendia (for Watkins, 84'): N/A
Subs not used: Olsen, Carlos, Mings, Maatsen, Bogarde.
GOALS
Chelsea: Jackson (7'), Fernandez (36'), Palmer (83')
Aston Villa: N/A
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