Chelsea walked out of Villa Park with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa thanks to second-half goals from substitute Christian Pulisic and surprise starter Olivier Giroud. The Blues controlled and dominated the game, but still had to work hard for the win after going behind just before half-time, after a Kortney Hause goal from a training ground set piece.
Christian Pulisic Sparks Comeback Win for Chelsea at Aston Villa
Captain America Saves the Day
Chelsea went into the break 1-0 down even though they spent the entirety of it in Villa’s half. According to SofaScore, the Blues dominated with 77% possession.
But in the 57th minute, Pulisic replaced Ruben Loftus-Cheek and sparked the comeback. Chelsea continued to put pressure on the home side, and Cesar Azpilicueta found himself in space on the right flank. He sent a cross towards the far post and Pulisic scored a superb goal on the half volley with his weaker left foot.
Less than two minutes later, Giroud got in on the action. Azpilicueta this time was in the box on the left side and played a cross to the Frenchman. Giroud took a touch, turned, and fired towards goal. Villa’s Conor Hourihane tried to block it, but instead deflected the shot, which was already on target, past the goalkeeper.
Two minutes, two goals, and Chelsea had the lead thanks to Frank Lampard’s decision to introduce Christian Pulisic.
The American showed once again he can be a hugely influential player for the Blues, just as he did during a six week stretch in the autumn, where he scored six goals and assisted three times in all competitions.
Beyond the goal, Pulisic continued to have attempts at goal, although a bit ambitiously from outside the box that were blocked easily, and had a key pass.
Chelsea Set Piece Struggles
Chelsea’s defenders have struggled mightily this year. Free-kicks, corners, tracking runners – they have struggled at all of them. The issue arose against Villa on, of course, a set piece.
Villa took a central free-kick from the attacking half and sent it wide to Jack Grealish just outside the top of the box on the right side. He held the ball at his feet for a moment before laying it off for the incoming Douglass Luiz who sent in a good cross.
Kepa saved Kortney Hause’s sliding first attempt at the back post, but couldn’t clear it. Hause then scrambled back up onto his feet and blasted in the second attempt to give the home side the lead.
During the scramble, centre-back Antonio Rudiger was nowhere to be seen. Fellow centre-back Andreas Christensen didn’t provide much cover either. Chelsea’s man-marking did nothing but leave their keeper hanging out to dry.
The Blues’ defensive struggles have persisted all year and the 100+ day break did nothing to sort it out.
Frank Lampard’s Decisions Pay Dividends
Manager Frank Lampard made some big calls in his starting XI. Giroud starting over Tammy Abraham was one. Willian, who is out of contract in less than two weeks and hasn’t extended, started out wide. Christensen started at centre-back ahead of Kourt Zouma. Loftus-Cheek also made his first appearance and start of the year, oddly, as a wide forward.
Some of those decisions paid off. Some didn’t. Subbing on Pulisic certainly was the right decision and Giroud’s goal justified his inclusion. Overall, Lampard’s decision making both before the game and during worked to the Blues benefit.
Chelsea finished with 74% possession. They tallied 19 shots and five on target compared to Villa’s eight and four respectively.
They’ll need more big, bold and beneficial calls from the manager in the final eight games of the year as well.
Top Four Cushion
It was a slow start, but eventually Chelsea came to life and earned the three points. The win means that they extended their cushion in the top four race to five points over Manchester United. With a tough match against Manchester City coming in the week, they need all the points they can get if they want to qualify for the Champions League.
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