The hosts were in control throughout, with first-half goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez putting them in the driver's seat. Jackson opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a clinical finish, and Fernandez doubled the advantage just before the break with a superb strike. Chelsea continued to press after the interval, and Cole Palmer wrapped up the win late on with a typically stylish goal, his third in the Premier League this season.
Villa, managed by Unai Emery, struggled to create meaningful chances, despite posting an xG of 1.61 compared to Chelsea's 1.15. The underlying numbers don’t reflect the gulf in quality on display, as the Blues dominated possession and dictated the tempo throughout the match. Chelsea's defense stood firm, securing a rare clean sheet in their first fixture of December.
The win also marked a significant milestone for Chelsea under their new manager Enzo Maresca. With 38 wins from 59 league games across his time at both Chelsea and Leicester City, Maresca continues to demonstrate his effectiveness in the English top flight. Since the beginning of last season, no manager in England’s top two tiers has won more league matches than the Italian, alongside Leeds’ Daniel Farke (excluding play-offs).
For Villa, the result is a stark reminder of their struggles in recent weeks. The Midlands club have now gone winless in five consecutive Premier League games, marking their longest winless streak since August 2022 under Steven Gerrard. Emery will be desperate to snap this eight-game winless run as Villa prepare for a crucial home fixture against Brentford next weekend.
Chelsea's Strong Home Form Continues
Chelsea’s home record remains impressive, as they have now lost just one of their last 14 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge (W9 D4). Their 10 wins at home in 2024 also match the most they’ve registered in a calendar year since 2021, a sign of their growing strength at their London base. With a trip to struggling Southampton up next, the Blues will be hoping to keep their momentum going in the chase for a top-four finish.
Villa's Troubles Mount
For Villa, the loss adds to their growing woes, with the team failing to win a Premier League match since mid-October. Emery’s side will need to rediscover their form quickly if they are to avoid slipping further down the table. Next week’s home match against Brentford will be a must-win for the Villans, who are currently in the midst of their joint-longest winless streak in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s emphatic victory over Villa sends a statement to the rest of the league, as they continue to build on their promising season under Maresca. As the Blues aim to stay in touch with the top of the table, the victory over Villa provides a solid foundation to build upon heading into the busy December schedule.
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