First-half finishes by Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer’s late strike gave Chelsea victory over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge as Unai Emery’s side slipped to a fourth consecutive away defeat.
Blues top scorer Jackson struck the close-range opener after seven minutes, capitalising on sharp work and an inviting cross from Marc Cucurella on the left.
Fernandez teed himself up before firing in from just outside the penalty area nine minutes before half-time, and Palmer curled in from similar range with seven minutes remaining.
Villa are now eight games without a win in all competitions – sitting 12th as part of their worst run since Emery took charge in October 2022.
Nicolas JACKSON! 🔥
Chelsea take an early lead 💪 pic.twitter.com/fCQjK7j0CF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 1, 2024
Emery: Villa ‘have to try to be better’
While Chelsea will finish the weekend third in the table unless Manchester City win at Liverpool, Villa – who lost goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez at half-time through a hand injury – are on a run of one win in eight league matches and four consecutive away defeats in all competitions.
“At the beginning of the season, we could sense some teams were better than us and one of them is Chelsea,” Emery told Sky Sports, telling his team to “try to keep balance” and “not be frustrated”.
“We believe completely in our work. Our challenge is to [play] on Wednesday against Brentford [at home at 8.15pm GMT] and see how our level is [compared] with [eighth-placed] Brentford.
“There are still matches to play and we are going to recover our confidence, trying to build the team. We have to try to be better than we are being now. We can individually do better.”
🗣️ "I just need to try and keep on going"
Cole Palmer speaks after Chelsea strengthened their hopes of a top-four finish with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Aston Villa 🔵 pic.twitter.com/SaTamIjq4H
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 1, 2024
Maresca: Chelsea performance ‘top’
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca described their performance as “very good”. “Top performance on and off the ball,” the Italian elaborated.
“[Fernandez and Jackson] are attacking players; they need to be in the box when we are attacking. Enzo was in the right position so we just need to continue [doing that].”
Maresca confirmed that defender Wesley Fofana had left the action prematurely because of a muscular injury.
Chelsea are away twice in the Premier League next week, facing Southampton on Wednesday (7.30pm) and Tottenham on Sunday (4.30pm).
