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Chelsea secured a comfortable 3-0 win against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Sunday, December 1. The result sees the Blues move up to 25 points from 13 games, while Villa continue their free fall as they slip to 12th place with 19 points from 13 games.
Chelsea made a great start to the contest as they looked to take the initiative and attacked from early on. Nicolas Jackson gave the hosts the ideal start as he scored to make it 1-0 after seven minutes. With 65% possession, the Blues looked formidable and created one chance after another. They attempted a total of nine first-half shots, with five of those on target.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, managed just three shots with two of those on target. They lacked penetration into Chelsea's box and could not threaten the hosts enough. As a result, they doubled their lead in the 36th minute. This time, Cole Palmer provided an assist for Enzo Fernandez for 2-0 as the Argentine applied a composed finish to score.
Chelsea carried a comfortable two-goal lead against Aston Villa into the half-time interval.
Both Enzo Maresca and Unai Emery made multiple changes to their respective lineups at the start of the second half. Chelsea and Aston Villa looked to tweak their combinations and objectives in the second period, but the possession stats remained nearly the same. This time, the hosts managed three shots on target from eight attempts.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa mustered just two efforts on target from seven attempts. However, due to sheer brilliance of personnel, Chelsea scored their third late in the contest. Noni Madueke provided an assist for Palmer, who made it 3-0 in the 83rd minute with a composed finish. The Blues then held their own and defended well to secure a comfortable win.
On that note, let's take a look at their player ratings from this match.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Robert Sanchez - 7.5/10
Sanchez made three good saves for Chelsea between the sticks en route to earning his clean sheet. He also played three long balls to open up the play.
Moises Caicedo - 7.5/10
Despite being deployed out of position, Caicedo had a great game. He won four duels, making two interceptions and one clearance. He also played three key passes.
Wesley Fofana - 6.5/10
Fofana made a decent start to the contest but was subbed off after picking up an injury.
Levi Colwill - 7.5/10
Colwill won three duels, making three blocks and two tackles as well. He also made one heroic clearance off the line to deny Aston Villa.
Marc Cucurella - 7/10
Cucurella had a good game as he won five duels, making two clearances and four tackles as well. The Spaniard also passed the ball with 96% accuracy.
Romeo Lavia - 6.5/10
Lavia had an average game in the middle of the park for Chelsea and was subbed off late in the game.
Enzo Fernandez - 8/10
Fernandez got on the scoresheet in the first period with a good finish. He played two key passes and won six duels, making three tackles as well.
Pedro Neto - 7/10
Neto played well on the right flank for the Blues. He completed three dribbles past opponents, won three duels and played one accurate cross as well.
Cole Palmer - 9/10
Palmer was named the man of the match for his stellar performance against Aston Villa. He passed the ball with 90% accuracy, including two key passes. He also attempted five shots, with three of those on target. Palmer also won two duels.
Jadon Sancho - 6.5/10
Sancho started the game on the left flank for Chelsea and put in a decent performance before he was subbed off in the second half.
Nicolas Jackson - 7/10
Jackson scored an early goal to give his team the lead after just seven minutes. He attempted two other shots, with one of those on target. He also played one key pass, but won just one duel up top.
Substitutes
Benoit Badiashile - 6.5/10
Badiashile replaced Fofana and put in a decent defensive performance.
Noni Madueke - 7/10
Madueke came on in the second half and bagged an assist for Chelsea's third goal.
Christopher Nkunku - 6.5/10
Nkunku replaced Jackson in the second period but could not make his mark on the proceedings.
Malo Gusto & Joao Felix - N/A
The pair played less than 10 minutes apiece and hence does not warrant a rating.
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Edited by Arnav Kholkar