A 73rd-minute strike by Ollie Watkins earned Aston Villa all three factors at goal-starved, 10-man Chelsea within the Premier League on Sunday.
Watkins tore by the house defence on the counter and angled his shot deftly by Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez’s legs earlier than it bounced in off the far put up.
“It’s at all times good to attain and assist the staff to win. It had been just a few video games I hadn’t scored. I knew the objectives would come however I’m delighted it has are available in a recreation that helps the staff and helps us get the three factors,” Watkins stated.
Chelsea had been in cost for many of the match, with Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson discovering house behind the defenders. However, as so typically in latest months, they failed to seek out the telling shot with Villa’s Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stopping a string of probabilities.
Mauricio Pochettino’s expensively assembled staff haven’t scored for his or her final three matches.
Villa, pushed again for many of the first half, discovered extra ambition after Malo Gusto was despatched off within the 58th minute following a VAR verify for a late deal with on Lucas Digne. The French defender had slid in on Digne on the wing and was first proven a yellow card earlier than referee Jarred Gillett was known as over to verify the monitor and alter his determination. Nicolo Zaniolo and Digne brought on Chelsea’s depleted defence issues and Villa defended their lead energetically, regardless of the match coming solely three days after a 3-2 defeat by Legia Warsaw within the Europa Convention League.
“We performed in opposition to a high staff in Poland the opposite day after which it was a fast turnaround. We confirmed our resilience, stored enjoying our recreation,” Watkins stated.
Villa moved up a spot to sixth within the desk with the win, whereas Chelsea, of their worst begin to a season for greater than 40 years, stayed 14th.
