Chelsea’s Joao Felix, left, fights for the ball with Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia throughout the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, April 1, 2023. (AP Picture/David Cliff)
Ollie Watkins gave Villa an early lead earlier than an outstanding strike by John McGinn made it 2-0 within the 56th minute with Chelsea booed off the sector by their followers at Stamford Bridge
Underneath-pressure Chelsea supervisor Graham Potter stated he took accountability after a 2-0 loss at residence to Aston Villa on Saturday despatched the Blues into the underside half of the Premier League tables.
Ollie Watkins gave Villa an early lead earlier than an outstanding strike by John McGinn, recent from starring in Scotland’s shock Euro 2024 win over Spain, made it 2-0 within the 56th minute with Chelsea booed off the sector by their very own followers come full-time at Stamford Bridge.
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Defeat noticed Villa leapfrog the hosts into ninth place, with the consequence leaving Chelsea, for therefore lengthy used to being title-contenders, in eleventh — under native rivals Fulham — and 5 factors off any European spot.
“I don’t wish to blame anyone, I’ve to take accountability,” stated Potter.
As for the jeers of the followers, the previous Brighton boss added: “We will really feel the ache of the supporters… I perceive whenever you lose at residence, the emotion of the sport is such that persons are going to be upset and annoyed and offended.
“The place we’re within the league desk, nobody’s pleased with. No matter criticism comes I’ve to just accept.”
Painful scoreline
As soon as once more Chelsea paid dearly for a scarcity of innovative up entrance. They’d 27 photographs on course to Villa’s 5 — however the Birmingham membership made two of their possibilities rely.
“The intention of the staff was there,” stated Potter. “You possibly can inform by what number of instances we obtained of their field, the photographs we had. There was a optimistic intent however the scoreline is painful for us.”
This was Villa’s fifth away win since Unai Emery turned supervisor in October, and they’re now only one level off Liverpool in eighth, and simply two factors shy of a European place.
Watkins has been a central determine in that run, scoring 10 targets this season and looking out a revitalised participant since Emery changed Steven Gerrard.
“The very first thing is his dedication to follow day by day, making an attempt to enhance,” stated Emery. “We’re making an attempt to assist him to make use of his traits and his talent in our form. He’s very demanding day by day to attempt to follow. We expect he can enhance.”
Watkins broke the impasse within the 18th minute, capitalising on a slack header from Marc Cucurella earlier than lobbing the ball over Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Emiliano Martinez, Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper, preserved Villa’s lead by diving low to his left to disclaim Kai Havertz.
Villa captain McGinn doubled the lead in type with a well-struck curling effort from 25 yards out.
Chelsea labored exhausting however hardly ever threatened a aim. One comfort for the Blues was the sight of defender N’Golo Kante, a 2018 World Cup winner with France, coming off the bench within the 57th minute to make his first senior look for Chelsea underneath Potter, having been sidelined since August.
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