Chelsea vs Aston Villa, EFL: Chelsea are back with Aston Villa again after a recent encounter between the sides in Premier League ended up in Chelsea’s favor.
It was the fourth round of the League Cup. Thomas Tuchel changed Chelsea’s starting lineup with 10 changes. Timo Werner getting the start took his opportunity and scored after eternity.
Villa thinking to consolidate with a win after that clinical loss started the match well. Their intention never dropped.
The first clear-cut chance for Villa opened up from a superb needle thread pass by Bertrand Traoré to Cameron Archer, who did brilliantly controlling the ball. Kepa comes out to defend. when the shot was fire, he saved it, easy peasy for the goal. But the follow-up shot was taken by El Ghazi. Kepa was out of position but Reece James was there to clear the ball.
Chelsea was attacking relentlessly with the speed and dribbling ability of the wingers. Villa’s defense was helpless against the speed and moment of the Chelsea players.
The first half ended at equal terms but the momentum was in the blue’s favor from plenty of possession. Chances did open up for both teams but the keepers were rock solid, doing everything they can to keep their teams in the game.
With just minutes into halftime, Reece James‘s amazing cross swinging away from the post struck from outside the right of the penalty area, found Werner who made sure to stick it in. It was his first goal of the season.
He gets another open opportunity from Ziyech who found space like finding a needle in a haystack. Werner holds the ball nicely with Steer defending. It was a tight angle but he puts it wide at the far post.
Chelsea were trolling Villa with their passing play. Ziyech finds the ground open beside the ball in his preferred foot, thunders a shot at the post. Steer watches it move but finally gets there with his hand. What a save!
On the other end, a counter-attacking opportunity for Villa energies. Chelsea are not in numbers, A superb cross from the Britain full-back, Matty Cash, Cameron Archer’s powerful header did not disappoint to level the scores.
So many substitutions took place from both managers. Time flew by but the score remained the same. Mason Mount could have changed the game but he too fired it wide of the post.
It was time for the penalty shootout. The most amazing thing about it is that no team is stronger or weak in a shootout.
Lukaku and El Ghazi both scored their respective penalties. Villa’s most experienced player, Ashley Young stepped up to the spot but he hit the bar. While on the other end, Mason Mount scores his spot-kick.
Nakamba up for Villa they need it desperately. He goes to his right although Kepa guesses it correctly to save it. Steer under pressure as Chelsea up by one. Ross Barkley, who was loaned out last year to Villa itself, sent Steer in the wrong direction. Chelsea up 3-1.
A superb top corner penalty from Konsa meant Villa to fight another day. And with some luck on their side, Ben Chilwell makes a blunder hitting the bar. If Kepa saves it now it’s all over, but he could not. Emi Buendia scores his penalty gracefully. James has the chance to wrap it up. He finds the top left corner of the net with power. It’s all over for Villa. Chelsea moves to the next round.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa: after game interview.
Timo they are singing your name, you have done something good tonight? how do you feel?
“Very good! Good to be back on the scoresheet of course. Good that we keep going (getting) our wins. And we are coming in the next round of the Carabao Cup. Yeah, we are happy with the game. It was a good game for us.”
The first half was very quiet, and the second half was mad at both sides. Why was it so different? Was it because of your goal?
“Yeah, could be that. A goal opens the game very often. Of course, the first half was silent. Both teams were very passive, don’t know what to do because of a lot of change in both teams. But in the second half, when we scored the first goal we had a lot of pressure after the goal. After their goal, we lose a little bit of control as Villa scored. But after that, we showed a good reaction, we wanted to win the game in 90 minutes. Luckily, we managed to win the penalty shootout.”
Funny game Thomas! The first half was actually quite locky and the second half was crazy. Did you demand that from them?
“I think it’s normal that we take some time, we have a lot of changes. Some of the guys didn’t have minutes for some games and their legs. Then it was a tough opponent again. And yeah, second half, we got stronger and stronger. It was a nice Cup game. I think it’s nice to watch for spectators in the stadium with a good end for us. It feels very good because we needed to fight hard for it. “
Watch the highlights fo Chelsea vs Aston Villa EFL. here
Pingback: Chelsea match for today: Brentford close to hold Chelsea in a 1-0 loss. - The Sports Habit