Chelsea’s Joao Felix, left, fights for the ball with Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia in the course of the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, April 1, 2023. (AP Photo/David Cliff)
Ollie Watkins gave Villa an early lead earlier than an excellent strike by John McGinn made it 2-0 within the 56th minute with Chelsea booed off the sector by their followers at Stamford Bridge
Under-pressure Chelsea supervisor Graham Potter stated he took duty after a 2-0 loss at house 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 excellent 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 thus lengthy used to being title-contenders, in eleventh — under native rivals Fulham — and 5 factors off any European spot.
“I don’t like to blame anyone, I’ve to take duty,” said Potter.
As for the jeers of the fans, the former Brighton boss added: “We can feel the pain of the supporters… I understand when you lose at home, the emotion of the game is such that people are going to be disappointed and frustrated and angry.
“Where we are in the league table, no one’s happy with. Whatever criticism comes I have to accept.”
Painful scoreline
Once once more Chelsea paid dearly for an absence of innovative up entrance. They had 27 photographs heading in the right direction to Villa’s 5 — however the Birmingham membership made two of their possibilities rely.
“The intention of the crew was there,” said Potter. “You can tell by how many times we got in their box, the shots we had. There was a positive intent but 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 objectives this season and looking out a revitalised participant since Emery changed Steven Gerrard.
“The very first thing is his dedication to observe each day, attempting to enhance,” said Emery. “We’re trying to help him to use his characteristics and his skill in our shape. He is very demanding every day to try to practice. We think he can improve.”
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 deny 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 objective. 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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