In a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Ollie Watkins scored twice to keep Aston Villa’s unanticipated Premier League title challenge on the line.
Prior to being unleashed by Unai Emery for a second-half double, the England international had only scored three goals all season.
Third-placed Villa is now three points clear of Arsenal, who they will face next on Tuesday, with an 11th successive victory.
Chelsea were Arsenal’s closest rivals less than a month ago, but they have only won once in their last six league games.
Despite leading 1-0 at the break, the Blues were depressed for not to continue their first-half dominance.
Early in the match, Cole Palmer fired a wide, and Enzo Fernandez’s curling effort dipped far beyond the post.
As Chelsea controlled possession and finally broke the deadlock on 37 minutes, the relentless Moises Caicedo and Palmer made further attempts to block them.
Emi Martinez and Reece James both slammed into Emi Martinez’ leg as the Villa goal was struggling.
Also available:  , Delap, Estevao In Line For Chelsea’s Aston Villa Recap.
After coming back from 2-0 down in the 2-2 draw at Newcastle last weekend, the former Brighton forward scored his second goal in two games.
After a shaky run of results, Enzo Maresca’s situation eased as a result of his concerns about Pep Guardiola’s potential replacement and his criticism of the club’s lack of support.
However, the opposite happened when Chelsea lost in the second half and the visitors started to prosper.
Watkins was replaced on the hour mark alongside former Chelsea wingers Jadon Sancho and Amadou Onana with a triple substitution by Emery.
Robert Sanchez, the Chelsea stopper, quickly denied Boubacar Kamara, but Watkins broke through shortly afterward to level.
The striker discovered a gap between Chelsea’s center-backs, and Sanchez saved his shot before ricocheting off Watkins and into the post.
As Villa took control, Sanchez nearly thwarted Ian Maatsen, a former Chelsea defender.
Maresca was told to leave the touchline, but Villa kept up the momentum with Palmer’s departure, who reacted with dismay after being replaced.
However, Villa grew stronger and won when Watkins reached the top of the table in Youri Tielemans’ favor, making their best run since 1914.
Crucially, Emery’s men also move Chelsea’s position 10 points clear of Chelsea in the Champions League race for the coming season.
Source: Channels TV
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