Chelsea’s inability to get over the line against Leeds United was compounded on Wednesday night when Aston Villa and Liverpool both secured wins, bolstering their hunt for a top-four spot.
Going into the round of fixtures, Chelsea were just a point behind fourth-placed Man United. Liverpool were below Chelsea, while Liam Rosenior’s side had closed the gap on Unai Emery and Aston Villa.
Chelsea dominated their game against Leeds, but a crazy six-minute period saw Chelsea throw away their two-goal lead after goals from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer. Lukas Nmecha scored a Leeds penalty.
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Then, a defensive mix-up saw Noah Okafor tap home. A 2-2 draw, with Palmer missing a 1-in-a-thousand chance in injury time. Liverpool and Aston Villa played on Wednesday night, 24 hours after Chelsea.
Unai Emery asked if Villa win more important as Chelsea draw
Villa played host to Brighton, and Liverpool went to Sunderland, two tough games, and yet, Tyrone Mings headed home a late winner for Emery’s men while Virgil van Dijk got the only goal on Wearside last night.
Unai Emery while managing Aston Villa.
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Following Villa’s 1-0 win, Emery was asked if the win over Brighton was more important with Chelsea and Man United dropping points on Tuesday. Man United drew with West Ham, yet Emery dismissed it.
“No way, no way,” Emery replied, shaking his head, according to Birmingham Live. “I don’t want to speak about other teams. We focus on ourselves, in our way, our points, and how we build the team.
“We are trying to focus on each match. Other teams will win and lose. If we lose, then we are out, but if we win, then we keep a good way. We focus on each competition and each match,” Emery continued.
Chelsea, Man United, Aston Villa and Liverpool’s next three
The Premier League takes a break for a weekend as the fourth round of the FA Cup takes precedence. Rosenior takes his Chelsea team to familiar surroundings, his old side Hull City, in the Championship.
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After that, Chelsea play host to Burnley. But then it gets difficult for Rosenior and Chelsea, who take on Arsenal and then go to Aston Villa. Villa, they face Leeds and Wolves before then taking on Chelsea.
Man United will feel they should get results against Everton, Palace, and Newcastle, while Liverpool face relegation strugglers West Ham and Wolves before facing a Tottenham side they should also beat.
There is no doubt that aside from the Burnley clash at Stamford Bridge, who did beat Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, Chelsea have the toughest fixtures coming up. It makes the Leeds draw more painful.
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