Chelsea’s Home Disappointment as Villa Continues Winning Streak

James’ corner initially seemed destined to sail directly over Emiliano Martinez and into the net. However, replays revealed that the ball deflected off Pedro, putting Chelsea ahead in the first half.

Despite gaining the early lead at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea could not capitalize on their advantage. A second-half brace from Ollie Watkins allowed Aston Villa to come from behind and claim victory, narrowing the gap to league leaders Arsenal to just three points. This defeat marked Chelsea’s disappointing record of only one win in their last six league matches, resulting in their fall from the Premier League’s top four.

Following the match, James admitted that Chelsea “have ourselves to blame” for failing to secure all three points at home. He noted how Unai Emery’s tactical substitutions had bewildered Chelsea’s players in the second half.

After the final whistle, James stated: “We dominated for 60 to 65 minutes. We started strong and took control of the game. For the first 60 minutes, they created no chances, but once they got one, the dynamic shifted.

“We anticipated their substitutions, which altered their formation slightly, but we should have been prepared to handle it. We understand their style of play. Ultimately, we have ourselves to blame.

“A couple of moments in the second half changed the game. They gained momentum, and we were punished for a couple of minor errors. This is why it is the toughest league in the world. Losing at home is always disappointing.”

The Chelsea captain continued: “Many teams go through periods of underperformance during the season. We need to keep pushing forward, game by game. We are committed to improving.

“We must put this match behind us and focus on our upcoming game against Bournemouth, which we need to prepare for and aim to win.”

Aston Villa’s victory kept them in close competition with the Premier League leaders, as they maintained an impressive run of form. The Villans have now won eight consecutive league matches and 12 of their last 13 in the top tier of English football.

This winning streak is a stark contrast to Villa’s rocky start to the season, which included a five-game winless stretch where they scored only one goal. Unai Emery, however, is optimistic about their progress.

“While we were concerned about our start to the season, we focused on each match rather than the standings,” the Spaniard remarked. “We concentrated on building a strong tactical structure and working hard.”

Chelsea will aim to recover from their defeat when they host Bournemouth in midweek. The previous encounter between the two teams ended in a 0-0 draw at Vitality Stadium earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Villa will seek to secure a double over Arsenal when they visit the Emirates on Tuesday night. A late strike from Emiliano Buendia had previously led to a 2-1 victory over the Gunners in early December, and a win in the upcoming match would position them level with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.