After the first six games of the season, Mauricio Pochettino’s team has had the worst start to a top-flight season since 1978/79, and it is the first time Villa has defeated Chelsea in back-to-back league games in 30 years.
However, as has been the case frequently this season, Chelsea had opportunities to score but were once again unsuccessful despite Emiliano Martinez’s run of excellent saves. They have now lost their previous three Premier League games without scoring.
Aston Villa also had numerous opportunities, but Watkins (73) finally scored one that mattered following a superb break with Moussa Diaby.
After Malo Gusto was given a straight red card, it occurred fifteen minutes later. After consulting the pitchside monitor following a crushing challenge on Lucas Digne, referee Jarred Gillett upgraded the initial yellow card.
As a result, Chelsea has only five points this season and is currently in 14th place. Aston Villa, on the other hand, played well despite returning to European football in the middle of the week, moving up to sixth place and only two points behind the top four.
In the fifth minute, returning Moises Caicedo fired a frightening long-range attempt for Chelsea, who have only won one of their past 10 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge. However, it turned out to be some early catching practice for Martinez.
15 minutes later, Aston Villa made one of its best first-half starts. Digne caught the ball with the prettiest of strikes after a Douglas Luiz corner was cleared into his path, but Robert Sanchez saved it with his fingertip.
Chelsea thought they had scored just before the break, but Axel Disasi was a yard offside as he nodded home. The reaction was muted with the offside flag already up.
Just before halftime, Chelsea thought they had scored, but Axel Disasi’s nod was offside by a yard. With the offside flag already up, the response was muted.
Helsea wasted their chances once more after quickly following near calls early in the second half. Raheem Sterling’s attempt was stopped by Martinez once more, and Jackson then headed wide at the back post.
The Blues, though, soon had just ten players left as Gusto rushed at Digne in a challenge and caught his fellow Frenchman in the ankle. After a VAR review, the yellow card that had first been given to him was changed to a red one.
Chelsea wasted their chances once more after quickly following near calls early in the second half. Raheem Sterling’s attempt was stopped by Martinez once more, and Jackson then headed wide at the back post.
The Blues, though, soon had just ten players left as Gusto rushed at Digne in a challenge and caught his fellow Frenchman in the ankle. After a VAR review, the yellow card that had first been given to him was changed to a red one.
Jackson will miss the Premier League encounter against Fulham next weekend after receiving his fifth yellow card in just six league games, and he will now miss Chelsea’s next three home games. It increases Chelsea’s already long injury list.
The chances kept coming from both ends, as they had for the majority of the game, but neither team was able to add to their lead. Ben Chilwell had an attempt saved, Cole Palmer had a shot blocked by a last-ditch Aston Villa leg, Diaby and Jacob Ramsey were also denied by Sanchez at the other end, and the Midlands team won all three points.
Aston Villa made the most of having an additional man by scoring the game-winning goal. At the midway point, Diaby took possession of the ball and quickly advanced down the field before passing to Watkins on his left. Levi Colwill blocked the original shot, but Watkins scored cleanly on the rebound from a tight angle to put the ball in the far corner.
Next, what?
Wednesday at 7:45 p.m., Chelsea will play host to Brighton in the third round of the Carabao Cup before returning to Premier League action on Monday Night Football with the Fulham vs. West London derby.
Wednesday at 7:45 p.m., Aston Villa will host Everton in the third round of the Carabao Cup before welcoming Brighton to Villa Park the following Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in the Premier League.
