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'Did well': Alan Smith praises £25m Chelsea player for one particular moment during Aston Villa victory

Chelsea’s attack will take credit for their side’s 3-0 win against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Chelsea‘s two top scorers in the Premier League, Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer, both managed to find the back of the net at Stamford Bridge.

Following the game, Gary Neville claimed that he was happy for Jackson, who came in for a lot of criticism last season.

As well as Chelsea’s attack, though, the Blues’ backline also deserves some credit for the three points.

Robert Sanchez of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa FC at Stamford Bridge on December 01, 2024 in London, ...

Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images

Alan Smith’s honest take on Robert Sanchez

Robert Sanchez had to make some big saves on the afternoon, including a one-v-one against Ollie Watkins.

The save he made against the England striker really impressed Alan Smith, who feels that Sanchez does not always convince when he is in the side.

Commentating on the game for Sky Sports, the Arsenal legend said: “Watkins could have cut the ball back but he was well entitled to shoot. Sanchez doesn’t always convince but did well for his team there.”

Filip Jorgensen could have easily started after his performance against Heidenheim in the Conference League last week, but Enzo Maresca opted to remain with Sanchez.

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Robert Sanchez’s numbers vs Aston Villa

In the end, Sanchez justified his selection after keeping a clean sheet, his third of the season.

He made three saves and swept very well, recording four successful run outs. The 27-year-old has made some big mistakes in the current campaign, but he was pretty solid against Villa on Sunday.

Robert Sanchez vs Aston Villa Total

Saves 3

Saves from inside box 3

Runs out (successful) 4 (4)

Chelsea’s next game is against Southampton. The Saints are bottom of the table and have only scored 10 goals this season, the joint lowest in the division.

Really, then, Sanchez should be aiming for another clean sheet as well as the three points.

After that, Chelsea have a much harder fixture, taking on Tottenham Hotspur, who you would expect to give Sanchez more of a challenge.

This is the Spain international’s second season at Chelsea now following his £25m move from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer. He needs to start showing consistency.

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