Chelsea 1-2 Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins strikes twice as Unai Emery's side win 11th game in a row to boost title bid
Report and free match highlights as Aston Villa come from behind with two Ollie Watkins goals to make it 11 wins in a row in all competitions and close gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal back to three points; Chelsea were dominant and led through Joao Pedro but stay fifth
Saturday 27 December 2025 21:07, UK
Super-sub Ollie Watkins struck twice as Aston Villa pulled off an incredible turnaround to beat Chelsea 2-1 as they boosted their title bid with a club-record equalling 11th win in a row.
Make no mistake, Unai Emery's Villa are in the Premier League title race, three points off the summit - and they go to Arsenal on Tuesday with the opportunity to pull level with the league leaders.
They sure didn't look like champion contenders for the first hour at Stamford Bridge, pummelled onto the ropes by a Chelsea side who led through Joao Pedro's touch from a Reece James corner.
But a masterful Emery triple change shifted the narrative, a Benoit Badiashile error allowed Watkins to force in an equaliser and then the striker soared to head in Youri Tielemans' corner in the 84th minute to spark wild celebrations from the visiting supporters and dugout.
"Tactical genius," were the words Watkins used to describe Emery to Sky Sports afterwards.
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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, suspended and sat at the back of the press box, looked crushed. Villa have won more points from losing positions than any side - but Maresca's young team should never have let them back into this contest.
There was brilliance from Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez to keep out Joao Pedro and a mis-hit cross from James but also wasteful finishes from Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez as Chelsea squandered complete control of the match.
Villa's title bid is alive - Chelsea's top-four hopes hit. They stay fifth, a massive 13 points off the top of the table.
'One of the great impact subs in Premier League history'
Chelsea had 71 per cent possession in the first half and registered 1.93 in Expected Goals. Villa didn't manage a single shot.
The game looked to be going a similar way after the break, with Ian Maatsen surviving handball shouts from Chelsea players wanting a penalty when Alejandro Garnacho's cross hit him. VAR deemed his arm to be in a natural position. There was a crucial piece of defending from John McGinn, too, preventing Garnacho from capping a swift counter.
But when Emery brought on Watkins, Jadon Sancho and Amadou Onana, Villa's intensity and attacking thrust was transformed, particularly with Watkins running in behind the Chelsea defence. Villa could have added a second to Watkins' equaliser sooner, with Sanchez sharp to deny Maatsen and the England man.
But there was no denying Watkins' brilliant header. "That was one of the great impacts from a sub in Premier League history," said Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp afterwards. "[Watkins] changed the complexion of the match completely. He was absolutely incredible."
A Chelsea triple sub of Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Malo Gusto 10 minutes after Villa's key changes failed to have the desired impact and stood out in contrast to Villa's transformation. In the end, it was Emery who won the in-game tactical battle.
Are Villa genuine title contenders?
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:
"Aston Villa are full of confidence. In terms of winning the title, I'm a massive fan of the manager and the players, but you just worry if they've got a strong enough squad. The January transfer window is going to be a really important one for them. If then can beef that squad up, they could have a chance.
"I just feel that right now, Arsenal and Man City are a bit ahead of them. But they've done amazingly well and one thing's for sure with him [Emery], he knows how to win competitions. He's a master tactician and a brilliant manager."
Emery on Villa's Premier League prospects
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery:
"On day 34, we will speak about it. Now we are on day 18. The next match is day 19 and we are going to play against Arsenal and the Nottingham Forest the next week.
"If the league was finishing against Arsenal, we are in the title race, but there are teams like Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea who are contending more than us.
"We are competing very well and are getting better. Two months ago, we were speaking about a different moment and we were worried. Now, we are happy. We learnt a lot from the process two months ago and now we are humble and realistic and we know how we can do in each game and each competition."
Maresca says Chelsea should have had a penalty at 1-0
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca:
"By the time they scored their first goal, we should have already scored two or three goals. After the goal we conceded, the dynamic of the game changed a little bit. It's frustrating, also because I don't think the game showed 10 points difference between us and them so it's even worse.
"Off the ball, we were very good. On the ball also, we were very good, creating chances. We started in the same way in the second half but the goal we conceded changed the dynamic of the game."
On the penalty shout: "It looks a penalty - it's clear it's handball and [Pedro] Neto is in behind and can tap in but the referee decides no."
