Aston Villa produced another statement victory in their stunning season by coming from behind to defeat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, with substitute Ollie Watkins scoring twice to secure an 11th consecutive win in all competitions.
Villa’s title credentials are becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss. The win leaves Unai Emery’s side just three points off the Premier League summit ahead of a huge clash with Arsenal, where they could draw level with the leaders.
For much of the evening, however, Villa looked second best. Chelsea dominated the opening hour, pinning the visitors deep and eventually taking a deserved lead when Joao Pedro applied a close-range finish from a Reece James corner. The hosts were in near-total control, monopolising possession and carving out chances, while Villa failed to register a single shot in the first half.
Chelsea should have made more of that dominance. Emi Martinez was forced into a fine stop to deny Pedro again, while Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez both passed up presentable opportunities that would later prove costly. Despite controlling 71 per cent of the ball before the break and generating almost two expected goals, the Blues could not extend their advantage.
The match turned on Emery’s bold intervention from the bench. Introducing Ollie Watkins alongside Jadon Sancho and Amadou Onana instantly lifted Villa’s intensity and gave them a direct threat in behind Chelsea’s defence. The momentum shifted quickly.
Watkins made his presence felt almost immediately, capitalising on a defensive error from Benoit Badiashile to force the equaliser past Robert Sanchez. Suddenly, Chelsea looked rattled, their earlier composure replaced by uncertainty.
Villa sensed the opportunity and pressed on. Sanchez reacted well to keep out Maatsen and Watkins as the visitors grew in confidence, but the decisive moment arrived six minutes from time. From a Youri Tielemans corner, Watkins rose above the defence to power home a header and complete a remarkable turnaround, sending the away end into raptures.
Chelsea attempted to respond with their own changes, introducing Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Malo Gusto, but the impact was minimal. The contrast with Villa’s substitutions was stark, and Emery once again emerged as the tactical winner.
The result underlines Villa’s growing reputation as the league’s most resilient comeback side. Over the past three Premier League seasons, no team has collected more points from losing positions. Chelsea, by contrast, continue to struggle to protect leads at home, having now dropped more points than any other side this season after going in front.
While Chelsea remain fifth, their hopes of closing the gap on the top four took a significant blow. Villa, meanwhile, march on with belief, momentum and a striker in devastating form off the bench — all signs of a team that may yet have a major role to play in the title race.
