Chelsea’s miserable run under Enzo Maresca continued as the Blues paid the price for their latest goalkeeper error in defeat at Champions League chasing Aston Villa.
Enzo Fernandez had fired Chelsea into an early lead but it was cancelled out by Marco Asensio after the break, with the on-loan Spaniard bundling in from Marcus Rashford’s cross.
And with the game heading towards a draw, Villa’s on-loan pair combined again as Rashford crossed for Asensio to direct a volley under Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen, who should have done better.
It was another costly error from a Chelsea goalkeeper and Maresca’s side now have four defeats from their last five games in all competitions.
The result was a huge boost for Villa, however, as Unai Emery’s side won in the Premier League for the first time since January.
Follow all the reaction from Villa Park here:
Aston Villa vs Chelsea LIVE
- Aston Villa beat Chelsea for first win in six in Premier League
- Chelsea lose fourth game in five after costly Jorgensen error
- 89' GOAL! Asensio's effort creeps under Jorgensen [AST 2-1 CHE]
- 76' CLOSE! Palmer beats Martinez when 1-on-1 but Konsa gets back to clear [AST 1-1 CHE]
- 57' GOAL! Asensio bundles in from Rashford cross [AST 1-1 CHE]
- 9' GOAL! Fernandez converts Neto cross after great run from the Portuguese [AST 0-1 CHE]
Aston Villa FC 2 - 1 Chelsea FC
Chelsea’s goalkeeping woes continue as Aston Villa grab late win
19:55 , Chris WilsonFilip Jorgensen’s late howler in the Chelsea goal handed Aston Villa a Champions League qualification lifeline as they won 2-1 at Villa Park.
The Blues’ goalkeeping problems continued as Jorgensen inexplicably let Marcos Asensio’s saveable shot straight through his grasp in the 89th minute to give Villa a vital three points in the race for the top four.
Unai Emery’s men looked like falling short and drawing a third home game in a week as Asensio’s 57th-minute strike cancelled out Enzo Fernandez’s early opener.
Chelsea’s goalkeeping woes continue as Aston Villa grab late win
Maresca reacts
20:17 , Chris WilsonEnzo Maresca is last to speak to Sky, and he says that he thinks “the performance was good”.
“Today it’s a tough one because we didn’t deserve [to lose].
“We had some great chances, but in this league you have to be clinical otherwise anything can happen.
“It’s tough because the team was good, they gave everything, but we lost. We are not happy.
“If we carry on in the same way, we can play an important part until the end [in the race for top four].
On Cole Palmer, he says that he’s a “top player”, but today he missed a great chance, but “we are very happy with him”.
Emery reacts
20:10Villa boss Emery is happy after that, mentioning that Villa “were speaking before the match, in the meeting, about starting off [well]”.
“We have to identify how to improve, and we needed more.
“Again we started very bad. We weren’t playing like we planned. Then we were getting better. We played fantastic in the second half.
“We were getting tired. We needed players to have a good impact and they did.
“We needed to improve the squad and to have more players helping.
“We are trying to be in the top five and to compete in the Champions League, and we got those players thinking they’d improve us. Their impact in the second half was fantastic.”
Tielemans reacts
20:04 , Chris WilsonVilla midfielder Youri Tielemans also speaks to Sky, and he calls it “a big, big win against one of our rivals. It is so important. I can't put it into words”.
On his own performance, he said: "The manager has improved me a lot. His tactical analysis of the game has helped me to improve my game and has helped em to express myself and improve on the details.
On January signings, he added: "It helps us a lot when you seem them tow linking up for both goals. We know they are only loans but hopefully we can get more from them if they play well and stay fit and help us to reach our goals."
On being in the race for Champions League places: "We have to enjoy tonight but there is still a long way to go. Hopefully we can get some momentum going towards the end of the season and get there in the end."
Premier League results
20:00 , Chris WilsonHere’s a brief rundown of the day’s results in the Premier League then.
Everton 2-2 Manchester United
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves
Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace
Southampton 0-4 Brighton
Ipswich 1-4 Tottenham
Asensio reacts
19:50 , Chris WilsonMarco Asensio is first to speak to Sky, and he says that he is “so happy, the performance was incredible”.
“We have to continue, the team is in the right way, so I’m very happy for these goals and the win.
“We know that today was an important day, we had to win and we did. We have to continue.
“The mentality we have to have is to win every match.
On the goal: “Marcus said he was not offside! We all know his quality, he’s helped us a lot – thanks to him for the two assists!
“We are working hard, we have new teammates so we’re building something new. We have to keep working.
“It’s a step forward because the club and Unai trust me, and that important for a football player.”
How the table looks
19:44 , Chris WilsonThat result means that Villa move to within a point of Chelsea, with Emery’s side in seventh on 42 points.
Chelsea miss a chance to move into the top four, and they’re in sixth on 43 points.
FULL-TIME! Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
19:35 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
19:32 , Chris Wilson90 +8 mins
And the referee blows the final whistle! Villa come from behind to take the three points!
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
19:32 , Chris Wilson90 +8 mins
Chelsea have one last chance with a free-kick from deep, but Maatsen boots it away.
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
19:31 , Chris Wilson90 +7 mins
Malen slides in and eventually wins it brilliantly off James.
Villa counter and it’s a 3-v-2 in attack, with the ball eventually being laid off to Bailey, but the Jamaican can't get the shot away.
Not doing left now.
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
19:30 , Chris Wilson90 +5 mins
Chelsea have all the possession at the moment, but Palmer is unable to put a ball in despite making the space.
Villa have all their men behind the ball at the moment.
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
19:2890 +4 mins
Chelsea win a late corner and it’ll be James to deliver.
The ball in is headed away, before Maatsen boots it clear.
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
19:26 , Chris Wilson90 +2 mins
Enzo Fernandez is lucky to avoid a second booking as he makes a late challenge. Moments before the goal, Caicedo went into the book too.
There’s at least seven minutes of added time here.
GOAL! Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
19:25 , Chris Wilson90 mins
GOAL!
Oh, it’s a howler from Jorgensen (I think).
Rashford takes the corner short and when he gets it back, he fizzes in a cross to Asensio at the front post.
The Spaniard has plenty to do as he takes it on the volley and it’s right at Jorgensen, but it creeps under the ‘keeper’s body and in for 2-1!
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:23 , Chris Wilson88 mins
Much better from Villa as Maatsen picks up Fernandez’s loose pass before slipping it to Rashford.
The loanee spots the run of Malen and slips it into his path, and despite being 1-v-1, the Dutchman can’t lift it over Jorgensen.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:21 , Chris Wilson87 mins
Another promising spell of possession is wasted for Chelsea as Gusto’s pass goes straight out of play.
Both sides are looking for the winner but it just isn’t clicking in attack for either team.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:19 , Chris Wilson85 mins
Rashford starts the counter and he exchanges passes with Bailey, but he dribbles into a sea of Chelsea shirts before losing the ball.
Nothing comes of the Chelsea counter though.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:17 , Chris Wilson83 mins
Tosin’s foul gives Villa a free-kick not far from the Chelsea box.
Rashford steps up for the set-piece, and his ball in isn’t cleared properly at first before Tosin eventually pokes it away.
There’s a brief VAR check for a penalty as Cucurella was pulling on Bogarde, but it’s cleared.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:15 , Chris Wilson80 mins
Bailey has already seen a lot of action down the right, with Villa enjoying plenty of possession one the last few minutes.
Asensio swings in a dangerous cross towards Rashford, and Gusto gets a foot on it to divert it over for a corner.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:13 , Chris Wilson78 mins
Two changes for Villa as Leon Bailey and Donyell Malen come on for Watkins and Rogers.
Chelsea also make a change as Jason Sancho comes on for Nkunku.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:11 , Chris Wilson77 mins
CLOSE! How have Chelsea not scored!?
It’s great work from Caicedo, who picks put the run of Palmer in-behind the defence. He’s 1-v-1 with Martinez and the ‘keeper slips, but Palmer hesitates and as he gets the shot away, Konsa is there to clear it! Not quite off the line, but a vital intervention nonetheless.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:09 , Chris Wilson74 mins
It’s still all to play for here, but there haven’t really been any clear-cut chances since the Villa equaliser.
Rashford easily skips past Gusto on the left but his cross isn’t great and it’s cleared.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:06 , Chris Wilson72 mins
And another booking as Nkunku clips Rogers just as the Villa man had nipped past him.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:04 , Chris Wilson71 mins
A change for Villa now as Andres Garcia replaces Matty Cash.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:04 , Chris Wilson71 mins
A chance for the visitors as Neto squares a ball to Palmer, who curls an effort wide of the far post.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:03 , Chris Wilson69 mins
And now McGinn is booked after a poor challenge on Cucurella.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:01 , Chris Wilson67 mins
McGinn is dragged down again and he seems surprised that Caicedo has not been booked yet. He has a point there.
From the free-kick, Tielemans’ ball in is floated towards the back post, but there’s too much on it for Maatsen to get there.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
18:5965 mins
Some good footwork from Palmer to create space but eventually his pass to Nkunku rolls out for a goal kick.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
18:57 , Chris Wilson62 mins
Mings was forced off after the goal, with Lamare Bogarde replacing him.
Chelsea look to get ahead again but Neto’s half-volley is mis-hit and it rolls to Martinez.
GOAL! Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
18:53 , Chris Wilson59 mins
GOAL GIVEN! Rashford was clearly onside and Asensio has his first Villa goal!
GOAL DISALLOWED! Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:52 , Chris Wilson58 mins
Villa have the ball in the net but the flag goes up!
It all comes from a Cash cross, as he floats a diagonal ball into Rashford at the back post. The former United man hits it back across goal and Asensio bundles it in, via a deflection off a Chelsea player.
There’s a VAR check, and I think he’s onside...
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:50 , Chris Wilson56 mins
A booking for Enzo Fernandez as he clips Asensio when the Spaniard was leading the counter.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:48 , Chris Wilson55 mins
Half a chance for Chelsea as Palmer clips a ball into Neto, who’d made the run behind the defence. The winger cuts back before hitting the shot, but it’s a fairly tame effort right at Martinez.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:47 , Chris Wilson53 mins
Palmer releases Neto and he surges into the box, but the angle is against him and he drags his shot wide of the far post.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:45 , Chris Wilson51 mins
Rashford gets his first run at Gusto and it comes off the Chelsea man, but the referee doesn’t see it and gives a free-kick.
Not a lot has happened so far in the second period.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:43 , Chris Wilson48 mins
Mings comes off for treatment but it looks like he’ll be okay to carry on, at least for now.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:41 , Chris Wilson46 mins
Rogers narrowly misses sliding it in for Cash, and Chelsea avert the danger.
Now, Tyrone Mings is down holding his left knee.
KICK-OFF! Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:39 , Chris WilsonThe home side get us underway in the second half.
Rashford has come on, and he’s replaced Jacob Ramsey.
HALF-TIME! Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:38 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are re-emerging ahead of the second half, so we’ll be underway soon.
Marcus Rashford was warming up at half-time, so we could see the loanee in action as the second half begins.
HALF-TIME! Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:32 , Chris WilsonIt’s been an interesting game since Chelsea went ahead, with Villa arguably the better of the two sides since conceding, but with Chelsea looking very dangerous on the counter.
The visitors have been very good in the first half though, it must be said.
As it stands, Chelsea are moving back into the top four ahead of Manchester City’s match against Liverpool tomorrow.
HALF-TIME! Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:27 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:23 , Chris Wilson45 +5mins
Nothing comes of the free-kick but Villa keep possession. Cash delivers a long throw-in and it falls to McGinn, who blazes over a half-volley.
The referee blows the whistle and Chelsea go in ahead at the break!
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:22 , Chris Wilson45 +4mins
Villa are still looking for an equaliser as half-time approaches, though they can’t fashion a clear-cut chance.
Tielemans wins free-kick midway into the Chelsea half as he’s caught by Caicedo.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:19 , Chris Wilson45 +2 mins
Great running from Ramsey but Cash wastes the chance as his cross goes straight into the gloves of Jorgensen.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:18 , Chris Wilson45 mins
There’ll be six minutes of added time here. Cash looks okay to carry on.
Chelsea almost fashion a great chance as James slips in a brilliant through ball to Gusto, whose ball across goal almost reaches Palmer before Martinez pounces.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:16 , Chris Wilson44 mins
Cash is down after falling heavily, and he’s receiving treatment, so there's a break in play.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:14 , Chris Wilson42 mins
Chelsea win a corner as Cucurella’s cross is turned behind, but nothing comes of the set-piece.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:11 , Chris Wilson40 mins
Villa are dominating possession at the moment, though Chelsea look happy to let them have it for now, confident in their ability to counter.
McGinn is lucky to avoid a booking as he bundles over James near halfway.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:09 , Chris Wilson38 mins
A Chelsea attack ends with Nkunku cutting back inside and testing Martinez with a curled effort. The Argentine is equal to it though.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:07 , Chris Wilson36 mins
Reece James gives it away straight to Watkins in his own half. The England striker is isolated and the angle is against him, and he can only rifle an effort into the side-netting.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:05 , Chris Wilson33 mins
A small lull in activity at the moment as Chelsea try to slow the game down.
Maatsen and Ramsey exchange passes for the former to burst into the box, but there are too many bodies surrounding him and he backheels it straight to a Chelsea shirt.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:02 , Chris Wilson31 mins
It’s end-to-end now, with Watkins narrowly missing an opportunity to play in Ramsey, who would’ve been 1-v-1.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:02 , Chris Wilson29 mins
Chelsea were dominating possession but Ramsey nicks it back suddenly, before Tielemans is forced to dribble wide and sees his cross cleared.
Villa come again though, and the cross is in towards the near post but Jorgensen diverts it away from Watkins.
At the other end, Palmer sees a shot deflected and it rolls into the side-netting.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:57 , Chris Wilson26 mins
CLOSE! A good effort from Fernandez.
Nkunku wins the ball off Cash near the Villa box and it’s played to Fernandez, who opens his body up and curls an effort onto the top of the net!
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:56 , Chris Wilson25 mins
Villa win a free-kick in a dangerous area after Caicedo clips Rogers.
It’ll be Asensio to swing it in – but someone is offside and the chance goes begging.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:53 , Chris Wilson22 mins
Another chance for Watkins, as Villa work it from the left before it comes to the striker near the centre of the box, but Cucurella blocks his shot brilliantly.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:52 , Chris Wilson20 mins
Another chance, but this time it’s Villa’s first of the match as the ball is swept forward before it’s laid off to Watkins in the box. The angle is tight and his low strike forces a save from Jorgensen at the near post.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:5017 mins
Another chance for Chelsea as Palmer swings in a great diagonal cross that Nkunku nods on, but Fernandez can’t get a touch on it at the back post.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:47 , Chris Wilson14 mins
Plenty of frustration among the home crowd, as their side really haven’t got going yet.
They have enjoyed a little more sustained possession over the last few minutes though.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:43 , Chris Wilson12 mins
Despite Sky’s team graphic, it looks like Reece James is actually playing in defensive midfield, with Palmer on the right and Enzo Fernandez playing in attacking midfield behind Nkunku. That decision has certainly paid off early on for Maresca.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:43 , Chris Wilson11 mins
Another chance for Chelsea is ended after a brilliant last-second intervention from Mings, who pokes the ball away from Nkunku as he was about to shoot.
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:41 , Chris Wilson9 mins
It’s been all Chelsea and they have their early reward!
Neto picks the ball up near halfway and he surges into the box, beating Maatsen before firing in a ball across goal that gives Enzo Fernandez an easy tap-in into an open net!
Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
17:39 , Chris Wilson7 mins
Chalobah is down briefly as he receives treatment. He’ll be unable to carry on, and he’s replaced by Tosin.
Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
17:37 , Chris Wilson5 mins
It’s been all Chelsea so far, with the visitors almost working another shooting chance in the Villa box.
A positive start from Enzo Maresca’s side.
Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
17:34 , Chris Wilson3 mins
Another half-chance for Chelsea as Fernandez surges towards the box and slips in a pass for Neto, but his shot is blocked by a lunging Konsa. Good play from the England man.
Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
17:33 , Chris Wilson1 min
Almost an early chance for the visitors as the through ball almost reaches Nkunku, but Martinez is quick off his line.
According to Sky, it is actually a back four for Chelsea, with Reece James playing in the right wing position. An interesting experiment from Maresca then.
KICK-OFF! Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
17:32 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway at Villa Park! Can Chelsea get the three points to get back on track, or will Villa more within a point of the visitors?
Aston Villa vs Chelsea LIVE
17:25 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are in the tunnel at Villa Park, so we’re not far from kick-off now.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea LIVE
17:20 , Chris Wilson
A vital summer window for Chelsea
17:15 , Chris WilsonOf course, one of the most important factors in the race for the top four (or five) is the spending power that Champions League qualification affords a club.
Qualification alone netted clubs almost €20m this season, while Chelsea’s victory in the 2021 edition was said to have earned the club around €120m in prize money alone.
It is still clear that the Chelsea squad needs more investment.
Some positions clearly require more quality, while others simply need experience or back-up options, whether that be a better alternative to Reece James or an experienced centre-back to help the development of Fofana and Levi Colwill.
The club’s policy of signing young players has backfired somewhat this season, and there will likely come a point when the club have to break with their recent policy and instead capture players who are closer to, if not already in, the prime of their careers.
Ahead of the 2025/26 season, the hierarchy’s main job is to convert Chelsea from a Champions League side to one that is capable of mounting a full title charge.
Head-to-head
17:10 , Chris WilsonThe two sides have faced off 157 times in the past, with Chelsea winning 66 and Villa having won 55. 36 have ended as draws.
Villa failed to win any of their four meetings with Chelsea in 2024, drawing two and losing two.
What can Chelsea fans expect this season?
17:05 , Chris Wilsonno matter what Maresca says in public, he would likely regard it as a failure if Chelsea were not able to qualify for the Champions League next season.
The Italian openly said that his side “are going to try our best to finish where this club belongs, back in the Champions League”, and they still possess a two-point lead over their nearest rivals for a top-four spot – Manchester City and Newcastle.
Perhaps most importantly, clubs may not need a top-four finish to qualify for the Champions League this season, with fifth-place likely to qualify for next season’s tournament.
So fans can expect a tight battle for the top five – with City, Newcastle, Bournemouth and maybe even Aston Villa in the mix – with the Blues enjoying the early advantage ahead of facing both Villa and Newcastle in their last 14 fixtures.
Match facts
17:00 , Chris WilsonVilla have won just two of their last 11 top-flight home games with Chelsea (D2, L7), beating them 1-0 in March 2014 and 2-1 in May 2021.
Maresca’s words point to both optimism and discontent
16:55 , Chris WilsonAs Chelsea’s form has slid in recent weeks, Maresca has repeatedly been optimistic in his press conferences. The Italian has claimed that Chelsea are ahead of his expectations in terms of performances and league position, and this would certainly have been true before the New Year.
In addition, the future looks bright for a club who have repeatedly fielded the youngest starting elevens in the division. However, the nature of his side’s recent drop in form will concern Maresca.
The 45-year-old has come under criticism in recent weeks for his in-game management, and his tactics have occasionally been criticised too.
But it is worth pointing out that at times, Maresca has not been left with brilliant options in his squad.
For example, even a mis-firing Nicolas Jackson is probably a better choice at striker than 19-year-old Marc Guiu or Christopher Nkunku, who Maresca said “is not a nine – he is an attacking midfielder”.
Similar problems persist in other areas of the squad, from a general lack of experience to the mistakes of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and injuries to Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia.
Chelsea’s route to Conference League final revealed
16:45 , Chris WilsonChelsea now know their potential route to the Conference League final after the draw for the next rounds of the competition took place in Switzerland.
What started off as a brilliant campaign for the Blues has quickly tailed off into a mixed run of form that has seen them drop out of both domestic cup competitions as well as the Premier League top four.
Nevertheless, their form in Europe has been imperious, with Enzo Maresca’s side winning all six of their league phase games and scoring 26 goals in the process.
They are overwhelming favourites to win the third-tier tournament and would become the first side to triumph in all three of Uefa’s main competitions should they do so. A place in next season’s Europa League is also up for grabs as added incentive.
Match facts
16:35 , Chris WilsonAston Villa failed to win any of their four meetings with Chelsea in 2024, drawing two and losing two of those league and cup fixtures.
The Blues have won 13 Premier League games at Villa Park, only winning more at Southampton and Tottenham, where they have 15 and 16 victories respectively.
Team news
16:28 , Chris WilsonMaresca has made just one change to the side that lost 3-0 to Brighton last week, with Reece James returning in place of the injured Noni Madueke.
It looks like the Blues are setting up in a back five of some sort, with Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella as the wing-backs.
Team news
16:22 , Chris WilsonUnai Emery has made four changes to the side that drew 2-2 to Liverpool last week.
Three changes are in defence, with Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa returning from injury to replace Andres Garcia and Axel Disasi. In addition, Ian Maatsen comes in for Lucas Digne at left-back.
In the forward line, Marcus Rashford drops out in favour of Jacob Ramsey.
Line-ups
16:18 , Chris WilsonAston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans; Rogers, Asensio, Ramsey; Watkins.
Subs: Olsen, Zych, Digne, Garcia, Bogarde, Bailey, Malen, Rashford, Jimoh-Aloba.
Our starting XI to face Chelsea 👊 #AVLCHE pic.twitter.com/aWSxgyDA4k
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 22, 2025
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Neto; Nkunku.
Subs: Sanchez, Acheampong, Tosin, Samuels-Smith, Amougou, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho, George, Mhueka.
Our starting XI 🆚 Aston Villa!#CFC | #AVLCHE pic.twitter.com/mPppGYWDwI
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 22, 2025
Team news
16:10 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups should be announced in the next five minutes, so here’s a recap of the early team news.
For Villa, Axel Disasi is unavailable to face his parent club, so Lamare Bogarde may provide cover, though Emery did say that Ezri Konsa could be fit enough to return to the squad.
Ross Barkley is also nearing a return, though this match could come a week too early, while Leon Bailey should be fit for this game.
Amadou Onana is still a couple of weeks away from a return, as is Boubacar Kamara, while Pau Torres is expected to start training again in a couple of weeks.
Enzo Maresca had one new injury concern after the loss to Brighton, with Noni Madueke being forced off in that match. He will likely miss a few weeks with a hamstring issue.
While Malo Gusto was also subbed in that loss, Maresca later said he was okay, so he should be fit.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca reveals he called all-staff meeting
16:05 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea head coach Enzo Maresca called an all-staff meeting in the club's canteen to impress upon his struggling side the work being done for them behind the scenes.
"There are many people behind the scenes that work every day. I said to the players in that meeting, when I arrive here every morning at seven there are people from the kitchen cutting fruit. There are people behind you that you cannot see that are working every day to help you reach the target.
"I tried to convince them that there are people behind them working hard and we need to push all together.
"Kitchen people, groundsmen, kitmen. I asked them to push until the end because our target is to bring this club in the Champions League."
Aston Villa learn Champions League draw
15:45 , Jamie BraidwoodVilla were drawn against Club Brugge in the Champions League last 16 and Unai Emery is hoping for revenge after they were beaten 1-0 in Belgium in the league phase.
"Happy we are in the last 16 and happy with the draw, but every team that are in the last 16, they deserve to be there," Emery said.
"Of course, we played against Brugge and we knew their capacity to compete like they are doing usually. They beat Atalanta as well.
"Losing there 1-0, of course, is good information for us, how we have to compete, to respect, to prepare, to try to avoid the mistakes we made.
"But really happy, because we are going to enjoy this moment with our supporters, and we are going to compete when it's arriving, but now we have to focus (on) Chelsea."
Watkins: Villa goals will flow with Rashford and Asensio
15:25 , Jamie BraidwoodOllie Watkins believes the arrival of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio to Aston Villa will pay big dividends.
Watkins scored his 12th Premier League goal of the season in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool – a game in which Rashford and Asensio made their first starts, after arriving in January.
The pair have added an extra dimension to Villa’s attack in recent matches and Watkins is looking forward to cashing in.
“It is nice playing with quality players and I am sure in the future games I will get more opportunities,” he said after the match.
“They haven’t had that long to show what they can do and they are still finding their feet.
“When they get a few games under their belt I am sure it will flow and connect together nicely.”
Enzo Maresca on Chelsea's problems
15:05 , Jamie BraidwoodEnzo Maresca is enduring the toughest spell of his tenure with the team on a run of two wins from nine in the league, having been second and two points off the summit on December 22.
The performance in losing 3-0 to Brighton last time out was one of their poorest of the campaign and left them trailing fourth-placed Manchester City by a point.
"I've been clear since day one," said Maresca. "I'm not here to survive, I'm here to win games. I'm here to bring this club to fight for titles.
"The problem is that when you win games you look humble, and when you don't win you look like a lack of ambition.
"I'm ambitious. The club is ambitious. We have the same manager and same players and same sporting director as two months ago when we were second in the league.
"Nothing has changed, only unfortunately that we are dealing with many injuries. This has affected the level of the team."
Enzo Maresca sets target for Chelsea's top-four bid
14:45 , Jamie Braidwood"We have 13 games to go and seven of them are at home," said Maresca. "I think that winning the seven at home can be enough to finish top four.
"We've spent almost our season in the top four. Now we have just 13 games to go, so now the target for us is to finish top four, to try to finish in the best way.
"The difficult moment that we have now is probably because of the injury situation. We have five, six players that are significant players that are out.
"I watched again the first game against Villa (a 3-0 win in December) and we have five players probably that are out. The team has changed completely."
Unai Emery says Aston Villa not doing 'enough' to get top four
14:30 , Jamie BraidwoodAston Villa boss Unai Emery enjoyed his side’s performance in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Wednesday but accepted that inconsistency could cost them in their pursuit if Champions League qualification.
“We competed very well, but we are in the process, we want to get stronger in the Premier League, even playing against some teams who are better than us,” Emery said.
“Liverpool is the best team in the Premier League and Champions League but we competed. We were close to get the victory, but I think the result was fair for both teams because they had chances, and we had chances at the end of the match.
“I have to accept it, this draw is adding one point in the table, not being enough, but we have to keep going, positively as well, improving with the players that joined us.”
Chelsea set clear target as Enzo Maresca declares Champions League ambition
14:15 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has set his players a clear target to win their seven remaining home games and ensure a return to the Champions League.
The 45-year-old has been wary of committing himself by speaking publicly about aims for the season, but with the team having spent most of the campaign in the top four, he has made his expectations clear.
Of the sides still to visit Stamford Bridge this season, six are currently in the bottom half of the Premier League, with leaders Liverpool the exception.
The team have only the division's seventh-best home record this campaign having won six of their 12 games so far, losing twice.
Chelsea set clear target as Enzo Maresca declares Champions League ambition
What is the Chelsea team news?
14:04 , Chris WilsonEnzo Maresca had one new injury concern after the loss to Brighton, with Noni Madueke being forced off in that match. He will likely miss a few weeks with a hamstring issue.
While Malo Gusto was also subbed in that loss, Maresca later said he was okay, so he should be fit.
Nicolas Jackson remains the most recent long-term lay-off, with the striker out until at least the end of the March international break.
All of Marc Guiu, Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia are out for unspecified periods, while Wesley Fofana remains the main long-term absentee.
What is the Aston Villa team news?
14:03 , Chris WilsonFor Villa, Axel Disasi is unavailable to face his parent club, so Lamare Bogarde may provide cover, though Emery did say that Ezri Konsa could be fit enough to return to the squad.
Ross Barkley is also nearing a return, though this match could come a week too early, while Leon Bailey should be fit for this game.
Amadou Onana is still a couple of weeks away from a return, as is Boubacar Kamara, while Pau Torres is expected to start training again in a couple of weeks.
Is Aston Villa vs Chelsea on TV?
14:02 , Chris WilsonWhen is Aston Villa vs Chelsea?
The match kicks off at 5.30pm GMT on Saturday, 22 February at Villa Park.
How can I watch the match?
The match will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event, with coverage starting at 5pm.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass to watch without a subscription.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea LIVE
14:01 , Chris WilsonAston Villa face Chelsea in the Premier League’s late kick-off today, with both sides still firmly in the hunt for Champions League football.
While Villa’s draw to Liverpool in midweek was a good result, it left Unai Emery’s side in ninth with 39 points, four below Chelsea and five off fourth-placed Manchester City.
Though Villa will fancy their chances of achieving European football, a win today is vital for any hopes of cracking the top five.
And they face a Chelsea side who have endured a poor run of form since December, falling from second to sixth, with last weekend’s disappointing 3-0 loss to Brighton meaning that the Blues face their own fight to secure a Champions League place that looked set in stone just a couple of months ago.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea LIVE
14:00 , Chris WilsonGood afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea.
The match sees both sides continue their hunt for European football, with Villa sitting four points behind the Blues ahead of kick-off.
A win for either side could be key for securing Champions League football, with Chelsea just a point behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
