Aston Villa 2 Chelsea 2
Unai Emery wants to ensure that his side make sure Champions League football is guaranteed before they turn their attentions to a Europa Conference League semi-final. They welcomed a Chelsea side who suffered a hiding against Arsenal at The Emirates in midweek.
It would be nothing but a miracle if Mauricio Pochettino is still in his job come next season. What had promised so much when he joined The Blues has failed to materialise on a grand scale. If Potter could not work his magic on this squad, it may take more than the Argentine has in his locker.
Chelsea’s defence shows all the solidity of an origami castle. This was underlined as Digne got to the byline, picked out McGinn in the box whose shot was going well wide of goal. That was until Cucurella said ‘hold my pint’ and diverted it into the bottom corner of the net.
With only four minutes gone, this looked like it could be a repeat of the game against Arsenal for the West Londoners. Villa Park erupted, they did not care who got the telling touch, all that mattered is that they looked set to move nine points clear of Tottenham in fourth.
Credit: @premierleague
Caicedo then played a ball over the top of the Villa defence for Jackson to run onto. He held off the defender and volleyed his shot into the roof of the net to seemingly draw the visitors level. The celebrations were short-lived as a VAR review ruled the goal out for offside.
Pochettino’s side continued to press and Cucurella crossed from the wing, picking out Jackson in the box. He headed the ball down, only to see his effort hit the base of the post and come back into play. It was a huge chance for Chelsea to change their fortunes in this game.
Moments later, Aston Villa came forward and as The Blues failed to clear their lines on numerous occasions, Cash played the ball to Rogers. He stepped inside and got a shot off to the near post, through the legs of Chalobah, beat Petrovic and doubled the hosts’ lead.
Martinez was forced off due to injury at the interval, something which was to prove costly. As Aston Villa continued their normal tactics of playing out from the back, it became apparent that this is difficult to do without their first choice keeper.
They got into trouble and gave the ball away, as Gallagher cut inside his man, he went to ground looking for a penalty. The ball broke to Madueke, who side-footed his shot into the far corner to give Chelsea a lifeline in the game.
Unai Emery’s side looked to play through the visitors and Bailey almost restored their two-goal advantage. Petrovic got down well to save but Watkins could not pounce on the loose ball as it was hit behind for a corner.
Credit: @ChelseaFC
The Blues came forward once again, playing far better in the second half. As the ball was played to Gallagher on the edge of the box, striking it with his weaker left-foot, he curled one into the top corner to draw Chelsea level. It was a superb strike from the midfielder.
Aston Villa almost completely buckled when Cole Palmer weaved his way through their defence. With only the keeper to beat, his shot was saved by the legs of Olsen. He held his head in his hands, knowing what a huge chance that was for his team.
Nobody was more relieved than Diego Carlos, who had gifted the ball to Palmer with a loose pass. Deep into added time the ball was crossed in and Disasi’s header thundered off the crossbar, hit Olsen and went into the back of the net.
The away end went berserk as it seemed Chelsea had completely turned this game on its head. VAR reviewed the goal and sent the referee to the monitor. Craig Pawson then ruled out the goal, adjudging that Badiashile had fouled an Aston Villa defender in the build-up.
Villa almost got a late winner from a corner as Duran headed narrowly over the bar. With neither side able to get a winner it was a point apiece they had to settle for. As the final whistle was blown, the Chelsea players surrounded the official, letting him know their thoughts.
You could see why they were so incensed, as the replay showed, the challenge seemed to be 50/50 from both players and certainly did not warrant a ‘clear and obvious error’ from the referee. Once again, a game finishes and all we are talking about it VAR.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.