Chelsea vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
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A 73rd-minute strike by Ollie Watkins earned Aston Villa all three points at 10-man Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
Watkins tore apart the home defence on the counter and angled his shot deftly through Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez’s legs and in off the far post.
Chelsea had been in charge for most of the match, with Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson finding space behind the defenders. But as so often in recent months, they failed to find the telling shot with Villa’s Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stopping a string of chances.
Villa found more ambition after Malo Gusto was sent off in the 58th minute following a VAR check for a late tackle on Lucas Digne.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
DISALLOWED GOAL! Disasi heads Gusto's cross into the back of the net with a fine effort, but the offside flag cuts short his celebration.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Jackson sends Gusto away down the right flank, but he is forced to wait for support and his cutback towards Gallagher is cleared behind.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Mudryk surges past Cash down the left flank and places a perfect low ball across the face of goal, but both Jackson and Sterling are nowhere to be seen.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Digne latches onto another loose ball on the edge of the Chelsea box following a corner. On this occasion, he lifts his effort comfortably over the top.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
SAVE! Sanchez rescues Chelsea again. Torres rises to head a corner from Douglas Luiz back into a dangerous area. Zaniolo shoots on the turn on the volley, but sees his effort turned over the bar.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Douglas Luiz lines up a strike at goal, but his effort clips the Chelsea wall and drifts wide for a corner.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Watkins wins possession for the visitors following a loose pass from Colwill. Caicedo brings down the forward on the charge 25 yards from goal, handing Villa a free-kick in a useful position.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
CHANCE! Gusto bursts down the right flank and cuts the ball back to Fernandez. He has space and time, but scuffs his strike well wide of the target. Fernandez had to hit the target there.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
The visitors have struggled to get control of possession, but have been alert in the final third. With Villa's quality, the hosts cannot afford to lose the ball in their own half.
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