Unai Emery has congratulated Chelsea on their win against his side but wants them to remember one thing.
Emery would have been pleased with the start that Villa made on Wednesday night. They went 1-0 up in the second minute after recent Chelsea target Douglas Luiz found the back of the net.
However, a Joao Pedro hat-trick completely turned things around for the Blues. Cole Palmer also scored at Villa Park to help Liam Rosenior’s men win the game 4-1.
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Chelsea player ratings vs Aston Villa
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Unai Emery reminds Chelsea they’re still behind Aston Villa
Despite beating their opponents, Chelsea are still three points behind Villa in the Premier League table. It was something that Emery was quick to point out after the full-time whistle.
The Spaniard said via Villa’s official club website: “It was so tight, the match in the first half. The second half was completely different and they played a very good match, but this team is still being behind us.”
Emery also went on to add: “Today, they were better than us. Congratulations to Chelsea, but in 29 matches there is still a three-point difference between them and us.”
Liam Rosenior, Manager of Chelsea, congratulates Joao Pedro for scoring a hat-trick
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea will still be delighted with how Wednesday ended, with Manchester United also losing 2-1 against Newcastle United.
Like Villa, they are now only three points above Chelsea. Despite dropping points in three consecutive games versus Arsenal, Burnley and Leeds United, the Blues still remain in the race for Champions League qualification after Wednesday night’s results.
Going into the Villa match, Rosenior had some concerns, but he will be a happy man after that performance.
How Chelsea finishing above Aston Villa could impact Blues’ transfer plans
Chelsea finishing above Villa could help them to sign one of the Midlands club’s best players, especially if the Villans fail to qualify for Europe’s elite competition.
How many Premier League goals will Joao Pedro finish the season with? ⚽️
His hat-trick at Villa Park takes him to 14!
Chelsea's Brazilian striker #20 Joao Pedro scores
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
It has been claimed that Villa have become more open to selling Morgan Rogers, an attacker who has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Champions League revenue and just the lure of playing in the competition could be key for the Club World Cup winners in any potential pursuit of Rogers. It could be the difference between signing him or not.
Ultimately, it is another reason why the club will want to finish above Villa and be a participant in next season’s Champions League campaign.
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