Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 4: Gus Hiddink determined to leave youth legacy
Dutchman to use the final weeks of his second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge to give more chances to young players
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Your support makes all the difference.Guus Hiddink intends to make a commitment to youth his legacy to Chelsea's next manager.
The Dutchman will use the final weeks of his second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge to give more chances to young players after including four under-21s in the team that brushed aside doomed Villa on Saturday.
Matt Miazga, the 20-year-old American centre back signed from New York Red Bulls in January, made an assured debut alongside Branislav Ivanovic in a rejigged back four missing the injured John Terry and Gary Cahill, with 21-year-old Baba Rahman making a sixth start at left back.
Brazilian winger Kenedy, 20, started on the left with midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, also 20, given his first full 90 minutes in the Premier League, which he marked with his first Premier League goal. After further goals from January signing Alexandre Pato, who won and converted a penalty on his long-awaited debut, and Pedro, on target twice after half-time, Hiddink also gave a debut to 18-year-old defender Jake Clarke-Salter.
"It is not easy to bring in three or four because we cannot now win anything in this season it is a little bit easier and we will bring in these guys a little more frequently," Hiddink said.
"When you have an academy as Chelsea have had for a long time then as a consequence you must give these guys the chance to step up. The next manager who comes in will see that things are set up for the young players to have a chance of progression."
Owner Roman Abramovich was dismayed by Jose Mourinho's reluctance to use young players after investing an estimated £100 million in Chelsea's academy and substantial fees for young players such as Romelu Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne, both of whom Mourinho let go. Part of Hiddink's brief was to change that mentality.
Villa's relegation will be confirmed next Saturday if they fail to beat Bournemouth at home and Norwich win at Crystal Palace.
Villa teams with ratings
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Guzan 6; Hutton 6, Richards 5, Lescott 5, Cissokho 5; Sanchez 5 (Bacuna 66 5), Westwood 6; Gil 6 (Grealish 65 6), Gana 5 (Lyden 82), Ayew 7; Gestede 5.
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Courtois 7; Azpilicueta 7, Miazga 7, Ivanovic 7, Rahman 6; Mikel 7; Pedro 7 (Clarke-Salter 73), Loftus-Cheek 8, Fabregas 7, Kenedy 6 (Oscar h-t 8); Remy 6 (Pato 23 9).
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)
Man of the match: Pato.
Match rating: 6/10.
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