Trending 
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins struck twice after coming off the bench as the club continued their remarkable Premier League title push with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The England forward had managed only three goals all season before being introduced by Unai Emery in the second half, but he transformed the contest with a decisive double that extended Villa’s winning run to 11 matches in all competitions.
The result keeps the Midlands side third in the table, just three points behind leaders Arsenal, whom they face next on Tuesday.
Chelsea’s slump continued as they slipped to fifth place, having now won just once in their last six league fixtures.
Only a few weeks ago, the Blues were Arsenal’s closest challengers, but a loss of momentum has seen them drop out of the title conversation.
Despite the defeat, Chelsea will feel they should have made more of a dominant first half in which they took the lead. Cole Palmer dragged an early effort wide, while Enzo Fernandez curled a shot narrowly past the far post. Moises Caicedo and Palmer both saw further attempts blocked as the hosts enjoyed the majority of possession.
Their pressure finally told in the 37th minute when Reece James delivered an inswinging corner that glanced off Joao Pedro’s leg, catching Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez off balance and rolling into the net. It was Pedro’s second goal in as many matches, following his strike in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle.
That comeback had eased some of the strain on Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca after a difficult run of results and speculation linking him with Manchester City. Against Villa, however, the pattern reversed dramatically after the interval.
Emery shifted the momentum with a triple change on the hour, introducing Watkins alongside Jadon Sancho and Amadou Onana. Villa immediately looked sharper, and although Robert Sanchez raced off his line to deny Boubacar Kamara, the equaliser soon followed.
Watkins found space between Chelsea’s central defenders, and, after Sanchez saved his initial effort, the rebound struck the striker and bounced in off the post. Villa then seized control, with Sanchez forced into another save to keep out Ian Maatsen.
Maresca, serving a touchline ban, attempted to halt the visitors’ surge by withdrawing Palmer, a decision that clearly frustrated the England international.
Villa continued to grow in confidence and completed the turnaround when Watkins rose highest to head home a Youri Tielemans corner, sealing a result that matched the club’s best winning streak since 1914.
The victory also opens up a significant gap in the race for Champions League qualification, with Emery’s side now sitting 10 points clear of Chelsea as their dream season gathers pace.
