Chelsea’s struggles continued at Villa Park as they surrendered an early lead to lose 2-1 against a resilient Aston Villa side. Enzo Maresca’s men looked in control during the first half but were undone by a second-half resurgence inspired by Marcus Rashford.
The Blues began with intent, controlling possession and pressing high up the pitch. Their dominance was rewarded in the 23rd minute when Enzo Fernández found space on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful strike past Emiliano Martínez to give Chelsea the lead.
Despite their early control, familiar issues resurfaced. Sloppy passing, a lack of composure in midfield, and defensive lapses allowed Villa to grow into the game. Chelsea failed to kill the match off, and they paid the price after halftime.
With Villa trailing, Unai Emery introduced Marcus Rashford in the second half, and the Manchester United loanee wasted no time in making his mark. His movement and direct running immediately unsettled Chelsea’s backline, and it didn’t take long before he changed the course of the match.
In the 57th minute, Rashford delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, finding Marco Asensio, who expertly finished to bring Villa level. Chelsea, who had looked comfortable before his arrival, suddenly found themselves on the back foot. Rashford continued to torment their defense, and in the 89th minute, he turned provider once more, threading a clever ball through for Asensio, whose calm finish sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory for the hosts.
Rashford’s impact was undeniable, and his match-winning contributions drew high praise from Emery, who described his performance as “fantastic” and a glimpse of what’s to come.
Chelsea had their moments, but once again, their inability to control games for a full 90 minutes proved costly. Meanwhile, Villa showed efficiency and character, turning the tide with clinical finishing and intelligent substitutions.
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Story by Annang Samuel Yartey Kafui
