Filip Jorgensen gifted Aston Villa a victory that blew the Champions League qualification race wide open, but Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea problems extend past his error-prone goalkeepers.
Maresca was right that this was an improved performance from his team, but the way in which Chelsea squandered an early lead at Villa Park raises further doubts over the mentality of his young side. Cole Palmer’s demeanour is also fast becoming a worry.
Attention will turn to whether or not Maresca will restore goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who had been dropped for a string of errors, for the visit of Southampton on Tuesday night, but that is not the Italian’s only issue to solve.
Palmer squandered a glorious chance to restore Chelsea’s lead and probably clinch all three points against Villa before Marco Asensio’s last-gasp winner. But more worrying than the miss, which meant the forward has gone six games without a goal, was the way in which Palmer lost his rag.
He threw an arm in the direction of Christopher Nkunku after the Frenchman had failed to get on the end of one of his passes and sat on the turf and watched Villa race up the other end on the attack after failing to beat Emiliano Martínez.
Palmer’s manner was symbolic of a Chelsea team that lack leadership and unity, and struggle to cope with setbacks. They have now won just two of their last 10 Premier League games and have not won away from home in seven matches.
Goalscorer Enzo Fernández should have been sent-off for a second bookable offence after Villa took a 89th-minute lead and Marc Cucurella had been fortunate not to concede a penalty. Jorgensen will get the blame for his mistake, but Chelsea unravelled.
A victory at Villa Park would have put Chelsea seven points ahead of Unai Emery’s men and back in charge in the Champions League race. Even a draw would have set them up relatively well ahead of home games against Southampton and Leicester City.
But the defeat leaves Villa just a point behind them and the manner in which it came leaves huge doubts over Chelsea’s ability to last the pace in their bid to qualify for Europe’s top competition.
Maresca was positive after the game, but would not offer any guarantees over Jorgensen’s position despite claiming a decision would not be based solely on this defeat.
“The goalkeeper position is the delicate one,” said Maresca. “The striker can miss the goal and it doesn’t look so important but when the keeper makes a mistake, it’s always clear, everyone can see that. This is a moment where we need to support each other and continue to work hard.”
Asked if Jorgensen would retain his place, Maresca replied: “I don’t know. It’s not [because of] today’s mistake that I’m going to change the idea about Filip. I don’t know.”
On Palmer, Maresca added: “Cole is a top player and he belongs to that [top] category. Because they are top, they always want to try to win games and be the best. He probably knows that he was not happy with the chance that he missed.
“On one side, we can be almost happy with this reaction because it means he feels bad about the chance he missed. That chance, 2-1 again, would probably change the game. We are in a bad moment in terms of results, but we are still there. We have 12 games to go. I have the feeling that if we win one, we’ll go again.”
It had all looked so good for Maresca and Chelsea when Fernández converted Pedro Neto’s ninth-minute cross. The Italian’s decision to play Reece James in midfield and move the Argentine forwards appeared inspired, with Fernández and Neto causing the hosts all sorts of problems.
But Emery responded by sending on loanee Marcus Rashford at half-time and going all-out attack against a Chelsea team short on confidence and staying power.
Rashford assisted both of Asensio’s goals, the first of which came in the 57th minute and was awarded following a VAR check. Fernández had clearly played Rashford onside, when he managed to force the ball across for Asensio to bundle into the net.
Villa’s winner came after a piece of quick thinking from Rashford to play a short corner to Youri Tielemans, who returned the ball and Rashford’s cross was turned in by Asensio with the ball squirming under the body of Jorgensen.
In between Villa’s goals, Palmer had been sent through on goal with just Martinez to beat. The Villa goalkeeper even slipped as he raced out, but so did the Chelsea star and his delayed shot was hacked clear by Ezri Konsa.
On the impacts of Rashford and Asensio, Emery said: “This was the objective when we signed those players in the window - trying to improve our squad with the quality and skill these players have and how they can adapt with us quickly. Marco can assist and like today to score goals.”
07:52 PM GMT
Youri Tielemans’ reaction
It was a big, big win against one of our rivals [for the Champions League places].
The manager has improved me a lot. His tactical analysis has allowed me to express myself and also to work on the details of the game. I fit into the team perfectly and I really understand what the manager wants from me. I feel in really good rhythm.
[On Marcus Rashford] We’re very pleased to have him, especially with the way he’s performing. He can threaten anyone one v one, even one v two. Every time he got the ball today he was dangerous.
We’ve got to enjoy tonight but there is still a long way to go. Hopefully we can get some momentum going towards the end of the season.
07:48 PM GMT
Marco Asensio’s reaction
I’m so happy. The performance of the team was incredible and I want to thank all the fans for the atmosphere. We knew this was an important game that we had to win.
[On the first goal] Marcus told me he wasn’t offside [before the goal was given by VAR]. Thank you also to him for the two assists!
We are new teammates so we are building something new. We have to keep working.
[On why he came to Villa] It’s a step forward because the staff, the club, Unai all trust me. That’s the most important thing.
07:39 PM GMT
Hammer blow
07:34 PM GMT
Full-time verdict
A tight game, an even contest but mostly a dreadful mess for Filip Jorgensen, who had played well until that Asensio shot squirmed underneath him. Error-prone goalkeeping another one of those issues for Chelsea which just will not go away. Quite a few of their fans went straight to the exits, mocked as they did so by “GOAL!” flashing on the LCD screens which are above every gangway.
Villa improved in both halves and can take take a number of psychologically helpful feelings away from the game. A win over one of their rivals for the top five, a snapped winless run and a sense that they have enough about them to come out on top in tight games.
07:32 PM GMT
FT: Villa 2 Chelsea 1
Jorgensen dives bravely at the feet of Bailey to stop Villa getting a third goal. But it’s his error that will define this game, won by Villa thanks to their loan signings: Marco Asensio scored twice, with both goals made by the substitute Marcus Rashford.
Villa jump from tenth to seventh, a point behind Chelsea and only two behind Manchester City in fourth.
07:30 PM GMT
90+7 min: Villa 2 Chelsea 1
If it stays like this Chelsea will have taken only nine points from their last 10 league games.
07:27 PM GMT
90+4 min: Villa 2 Chelsea 1
This would be a brilliant win for Villa, especially after such a poor start to the game. Chelsea were miles better in the first 15-20 minutes.
07:25 PM GMT
90+1 min: Villa 2 Chelsea 1
Seven minutes of added time. Fernandez, who has been booked, is a bit lucky to get away with a petulant off-the-ball shove on Konsa.
07:23 PM GMT
Goal!
90 min: Villa 2 Chelsea 1 (Asensio) Aston Villa’s loan signings combine again to give them the lead! Rashford took a short corner on the left, received the return and cut the ball back towards Asensio, 12 yards out at the near post. He clipped a volley that swerved slightly and squirmed miserably under Jorgensen as he fell to his left. That’s a bit of a howler I’m afraid.
07:22 PM GMT
88 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Good save by Jorgensen! Rashford, who has been excellent since coming on, slips a through pass to Malen, whose first-time shot is well blocked by the outrushing Jorgensen. Malen needed to chip it over him, which I appreciate is easier said than done.
07:18 PM GMT
84 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Chance for Villa A wicked inswinging free-kick bounces around the Chelsea area until Konsa has a shot blocked in the six-yard box. There was a VAR check for a potential penalty, and replays suggest Cucurella was a bit fortunate to get away with a two-handed pull on Bogarde.
07:15 PM GMT
82 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Villa are pressing for a winner. Asensio’s deep cross is volleyed over his own bar by Gusto, with Rashford waiting behind him. The corner is headed away by Colwill.
07:15 PM GMT
82 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Villa are pressing for a winner. Asensio’s deep cross is volleyed over his own bar by Gusto, with Rashford waiting behind him. The corner is headed away by Colwill.
07:12 PM GMT
79 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Sancho plays the ball back to Fernandez, whose tame curler from distance is easily saved by his fellow World Cup-winner Martinez.
07:11 PM GMT
79 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Simmering pleasantly now. After the equaliser it threatened to drift towards the usual Premier League dynamic of system vs system, who’s got the biggest tactical brain? Instead the challenges are becoming meatier, the defenders look panicked and you can see gaps appearing all over the pitch which have not been apparent for most of the game. Surely a goal or two more to come?
07:11 PM GMT
78 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Villa substitutions Leon Bailey and Donyell Malen replace Ollie Watkins and the limping Morgan Rogers.
Chelsea substitution Jadon Sancho is on for Christopher Nkunku.
07:10 PM GMT
76 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Off the line by Konsa! Caicedo plays a killer through ball to Palmer, whose shot beats the outrushing Martinez and is kicked clear by the covering Konsa. That was a vital bit of defending.
07:08 PM GMT
74 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Rashford, who has been a big threat since coming on, has a shot blocked by Gusto. Right now Villa look the likelier winners.
07:05 PM GMT
72 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Now Rogers is sent flying by Nkunku, who is also booked.
07:04 PM GMT
70 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Villa substitution Andres Garcia replaces Matty Cash at right-back.
07:03 PM GMT
70 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Neto pulls out to the right and feeds the ball into Palmer, who curls wide from the edge of the area. That’s a reflection of his poor recent form; an in-form Palmer would have hit the target and maybe scored.
07:02 PM GMT
69 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
It’s been relatively cagey since the goal, both teams wrestling with the age-old stick-or-twist dilemma.
McGinn clatters Cucurella and is booked.
06:58 PM GMT
65 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Palmer, just inside the area, shows sensational footwork to manufacture space in a phonebox but then overhits a relatively simple pass to Nkunku.
06:55 PM GMT
62 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Villa deserve that equaliser on the balance of play. Chelsea started superbly but, Neto aside, have been increasingly passive.
06:54 PM GMT
60 min: Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Villa substitution Tyrone Mings wanted to continue but it’s not possible; he’s replaced by Lamare Bogarde.
06:53 PM GMT
Goal!
57 min: Villa 1 Chelsea (Asensio) It was onside and Marco Asensio has his first Aston Villa goal! A cross from the right wasn’t cleared by the stretching Gusto, and Rashford cushioned it past Martinez for Asensio to score.
06:51 PM GMT
Diasllowed goal!
57 min Rashford pokes the ball across the face of goal for Asensio to turn into an empty net. He looks well onside on the replay so this may well be given.
06:50 PM GMT
57 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Neto and Chelsea should have done more with a couple of chances, neither troubling Martinez. Villa starting the second half much as they did the first: poorly. Was listening to a Villa fan podcast on the way to Birmingham this morning in which they said Mings didn’t “look right” against Liverpool. There was no intel about an injury, but going down with nobody around you clutching your knee does not bode well. He’s back on for now, but I am beginning to think we should all be putting a lot more trust in the vibes-based analysis of blokes from Kidderminster.
06:49 PM GMT
56 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Enzo Fernandez is booked for a tactical foul on Marco Asensio.
06:48 PM GMT
54 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Neto makes another run in behind, chops back and shoots straight at Martinez. I think he was offside, but generally his movement has been quite outstanding. He hasn’t given the Villa defenders a moment’s peace.
06:47 PM GMT
53 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Just wide by Neto! Palmer plays an early pass to release Neto in the inside-right channel. He gallops into the area and thrashes a right-foot shot that swerves not far wide of the far post. Neto looks so sharp as a No9.
06:46 PM GMT
52 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 1
The delay caused by Mings’ injury has contributed to a scruffy start to the second half. Chelsea won’t mind that at all.
06:43 PM GMT
49 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Mings wants to continue, which suggests it’s nothing too serious. That’s excellent news.
06:41 PM GMT
48 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 1
This isn’t good: Tyrone Mings is down and feeling his left knee, which he injured against West Ham last month. It looks like he’s going off.
06:39 PM GMT
46 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 1
The second half is under way.
06:38 PM GMT
Half-time substitution
Villa are bringing on Marcus Rashford for Jacob Ramsey.
06:33 PM GMT
Half-time verdict
Fun half, enlivened by the early goal. Both teams looking quick when it suits them but leggy at times off the ball. Neto bright for Chelsea, Watkins unlucky not to have an equaliser.
A lot of marginal refereeing decisions have gone against Villa in that half and the crowd mood has turned mildly aggy as a result. Nothing too egregious from where I’m sitting, although Cucurella’s part in Matty Cash’s downfall looked worth a free kick. But there have been a few examples of that fan-irritating rhythm of several Chelsea challenges going unpunished followed by one soft Villa tackle bringing about a foul. Big boos around the tunnel as Michael Oliver makes his way inside for a Pukka Pie.
Obviously referees are higher-minded beings, not prone to the normal human weaknesses, but I would be unsurprised if the growing anger about Oliver means Villa get a significant 50-50 call in their favour from him in the second half.
06:22 PM GMT
HT: Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Chelsea lead after an entertaining first half at Villa Park. They made a flying start and took the lead through Enzo Fernandez in the ninth minute. Villa took a while to get going but when they did Ollie Watkins was twice denied by Filip Jorgensen.
06:17 PM GMT
45+1 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
In fact Cash is okay to continue. There will be six added minutes.
06:15 PM GMT
44 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Cash is down and needs treatment; I’m not sure he’ll be able to continue. There is going to a lot of added time, perhaps as much as 10 minutes.
06:13 PM GMT
43 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Neto’s corner is headed away to James, who drags a volley well wide from the edge of the area.
06:11 PM GMT
40 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
This is already quite a heartening all-hands-on-deck defensive effort from Chelsea. Gusto came in off his flank to hold up one attack building centrally, Cucurella hard to fault on the other side and Fernandez making his presence felt subtly in midfield, the odd well-timed shove and lean making Villa’s life difficult.
But can they do this for another half and a bit? That seems to be the way the game is heading and surely if it stays that way more than a one goal cushion will be required? Villa looking more composed and energetic the longer the half goes on, but the chances for Palmer and Nkunku have shown what Chelsea can do by countering at speed.
06:08 PM GMT
38 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Nkunku receives the ball on the edge of the area, shifts it onto this right foot and whips a curler that is pushed away dramatically by the diving Martines. “One for the cameras, that save,” says Alan Smith in the commentary box.
06:07 PM GMT
36 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Watkins hits the side netting from a tight angle. He looks very sharp in his movement but he probably took the wrong option there.
06:05 PM GMT
33 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Maatsen, playing against his old club, surges menacingly into the area but then gets the ball stuck under his feet and is challenged. Villa have been so much better in the last 10-15 minutes.
06:02 PM GMT
31 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
The corner is headed away to Gusto, whose volley from the edge of the D is saved a little awkwardly by the unsighted Martinez.
06:01 PM GMT
30 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Chances at both ends A terrific low cross from Tielemans is poked towards goal by the stretching Watkins and saved well with his feet by Jorgensen. Chelsea break and Cole Palmer drags a deflected shot just wide of the near post.
05:58 PM GMT
28 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
At last a bit of speed and purpose from Villa, and what felt like the first excursions from out of their own half. Watkins did well to get his shot off at the end of their best attack so far, Jorgensen saved capably with his legs. Great recovery defending from Cucurella to deny him shortly afterwards, when Chelsea’s full-back’s stretch to reach the pass allowed the ball to reach the Vila striker.
I’ve seen so many good spells of 10-30 minutes from Chelsea this season, usually followed by a maddening drop in intensity and concentration to let teams back into games. They must guard against that here. Tosin allowing a harmless cross to wrongfoot him in the box not a great sign.
05:56 PM GMT
26 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Villa are playing much better now but Fernandez almost doubles Chelsea’s lead with a lovely curler that beats Martinez and tickles the roof of the net.
05:52 PM GMT
21 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Fine block by Cucurella! Villa have come to life. Maatsen’s cross from the left bounces awkwardly and reaches Watkins beyond the far post. He gets a shot away at his earliest convenience and Cucurella stretches to make a vital block.
05:50 PM GMT
19 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Villa’s first chance Rogers moves infield and then plays the ball back outside to Watkins, whose fierce shot from the angle is kicked away by Jorgensen.
05:49 PM GMT
18 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Chance for Chelsea! Gusto keeps a long pass from James in play and knocks the ball back to Palmer. He curls a wicked inswinging cross that is headed just wide by the stretching Fernandez.
05:47 PM GMT
17 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Villa have been really flat. They’ve played twice since Chelsea’s last game so it might just be fatigue, but right now there’s only one side in it.
05:45 PM GMT
14 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Chelsea rewarded for their aggressive start to the game. Enjoyed the well-weighted Caicedo pass to set Neto away on the flank. Villa began by edging possession but it was in harmless areas and the visitors closed them down with alacrity. It was only Mings’ sliding rescue act which denied Neto a first shot on target before he made the opener.
Chalobah’s injury less cheery, but even before the goal the travelling support were emboldened enough to stretch Sloop John B to breaking point with: “Your city is blue / Your city is blue / Just like London / Your city is blue”. Grumbling noises and boos from the Holte End already.
05:44 PM GMT
12 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1
Neto looks a natural at centre-forward, with superb movement both with and without the ball. He may have solved a big problem for Chelsea in the absence of Nicolas Jackson.
05:40 PM GMT
Goal!
9 min: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1 (Fernandez) Chelsea take the lead! Pedro Neto, who has been so sharp at the start of the game, pulled out to the right wing to receive a long pass from Caicedo, beat Maatsen with ease and clipped an excellent cross that was volleyed in from three yards by Fernandez. That’s the Pedro Neto we saw at Wolves.
05:38 PM GMT
8 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 0
Chelsea substitution Chalobah is unable to continue and is being helped off the field, clearly in pain. Tosin Adarabioyo replaces him.
05:36 PM GMT
6 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 0
Chelsea have started really well, so much so that there have already been audible groans from the home fans. They may have a problem, though, because Trevoh Chalobah has gone down holding his back.
05:33 PM GMT
3 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 0
This is Chelsea’s starting formation, with Pedro Neto at centre-forward. He’s started brightly and has a shot blocked after a through pass from Enzo Fernandez.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Jorgensen; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Nkunku; Pedro Neto.
05:31 PM GMT
1 min: Villa 0 Chelsea 0
Chelsea get the match under way, kicking from right to left as we watch. It looks like Reece James is playing in central midfield alongside Moises Caicedo.
05:30 PM GMT
Fireworks at Villa Park
Quick, someone tell Arne Slot and Liverpool - Aston Villa are setting off fireworks for them again... or maybe they just do that for most evening games.
05:26 PM GMT
Do believe the hype
Forgive the lapse into Official Premier League levels of hype, but this is a very big game, despite being between the teams in sixth and tenth at kick-off. Two teams who have benefited from the general downturn in quality of the competition this year, both in with a fair shout of a Champions League place despite long spells of ordinary form.
The winner this evening could ease away from the loser, even if Villa will still be a point behind Chelsea if they triumph. Weather getting milder, nights getting lighter, it has the feel of a season-defining match. Scene set, so please enjoy the now inevitable 0-0.
05:20 PM GMT
A reminder of the teams
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1) Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans; Rogers, Asensio, Ramsey; Watkins.
Substitutes: Olsen, Zych, Rashford, Digne, Garcia, Malen, Bogarde, Bailey, Jimoh.
Chelsea (possible 3-4-3): Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill; Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella; Palmer, Nkunku, Pedro Neto.
Substitutes: Sanchez, Adarabioyo, Sancho, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Acheampong, Amougou, Samuels-Smith, Mheuka.
Referee Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
05:04 PM GMT
A grand old eccentric ground
Little dates you like your attitude to football stadiums. I wonder what Gen Z visitors to Villa Park make of it, with its asymmetry, gaps in the corners and the prevalence of grey corrugated roofing?
I can remember it being modernised in the early 90s, so the generous space on the concourses of the Trinity Road stand and the well-polished glass on the exec boxes on the North Stand seem quite swish to me. Less so, I guess, if your expectation is something closer to Spurs, Man City or Arsenal.
It’s certainly showing its age now but Villa have made the most of it. There’s an extract from the commentary of their European Cup win on top of the Doug Ellis stand: “Shaw, Williams, prepared to adventure down the left. There’s a good ball played in for Tony Morley... Oh it must be!... And it is! Peter Withe!!”. Readers, my spine was tingled. We will miss these grand old eccentric grounds when they’re gone.
05:02 PM GMT
Today’s Premier League results
There will be a lot of happy away fans travelling home tonight.
04:43 PM GMT
Konsa’s return good news for Villa
A team-sheet has just been handed to me on some of the crispest, whitest A4 available. Ezri Konsa is on it for the first time in two games, good news for Villa, who have looked shaky at the back without him. Chelsea attempt to ride their striker injury crisis with much the same team who produced a total of zero shots on target at Brighton last time out. Reece James in for the injured Noni Madueke their only change.
04:26 PM GMT
Aston Villa team news
Villa make four changes from that thrilling draw against Liverpool. Three of the mare in defence, where Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa and Ian Maatsen come in for Andres Garcia, Axel Disasi and Lucas Digne. Jacob Ramsey is preferred to Marcus Rashford on the left.
04:23 PM GMT
Chelsea team news
Chelsea captain Reece James returns in place on the injured Noni Madueke, the only change from the 3-0 defeat at Brighton. It’s a full-back for a winger so we don’t know exactly how Chelsea will line up.
04:19 PM GMT
Good evening
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live, minute-by-minute coverage of Aston Villa v Chelsea at VIlla Park. It’s an important game in the mini-league that will decide which teams play in the Champions League next season. Villa will start the game in tenth if Brighton hold on their lead at St Mary’s, yet a win tonight would move them within two points of fourth-placed Manchester City.
Both teams are scrambling for form in the Premier League. Villa have drawn four of their last five games, losing the other match against Wolves, while Chelsea have taken only two points from their last five away matches and were hammered at Brighton last weekend.
“My duty is to bring the players in their best position, and then you need quality from them,” said Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca. “If you take Rory McIlroy’s caddy and say use the seven iron, and he gives him the seven iron, he will put the ball inside the hole. If he gives me the seven iron, I will put the ball 100 metres from the hole.
“Our duty is to bring the players in the best position for them. We put them there but then it’s about them. We trust them.”
Maresca rejected suggestions that he lacks the necessary ambition for a club of Chelsea’s size. “I’m not here to survive, I’m here to win games, I’m here to bring this club to fight for titles.”
Unai Emery’s main concern in recent weeks has been Villa’s injury list, but things are improving and both Ezri Konsa and Leon Bailey could be involved tonight. Konsa’s presence would be particularly welcome as Villa are without Axel Disasi, who is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Kick off 5.30pm.
