Chelsea veteran Giroud sinks determined Aston Villa

Chelsea staged an impressive second-half fightback to beat Aston Villa 2-1 as Olivier Giroud s winner consolidated League’s top four yesterday. their place in the Premier

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Frank Lampard’s side were rocked when Kortney Hause put Villa ahead against the run of play in the first half.

But Christian Pulisic came off the bench to equalise after the break before Giroud bagged his fourth club goal of the season two minutes later.

Chelsea’s quick-fire blitz moved the fourth placed west Londoners five points clear of Manchester United in fifth in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

A first away league win of 2020 was the ideal way for Chelsea to return to action in their first match since the Premier League was suspended in March due to the coronavirus.

Villa’s failure to hold onto their lead leaves Dean Smith’s second bottom team one point from safety with eight games left to avoid relegation.

As has been customary in every match since the restart on Wednesday, a minute’s silence was held for victims of Covid-19, while both teams took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter cause.

Lampard said his recent signings of Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech and Leipzig striker Timo Werner will put pressure on Chelsea’s youngsters to be more consistent next season.

With that message in mind, he picked Giroud up front instead of Tammy Abraham, keeping faith with the French veteran after his impressive form before the hiatus.

Earlier yesterday, Newcastle United dented Sheffield United’s bid to qualify for the Champions League as Joelinton scored his first Premier League goal since August in a 3-0 victory.

Steve Bruce’s side made the most after Blades defender John Egan’s second-half dismissal at empty St James’ Park.

Allan Saint-Maximin broke the deadlock moments after Egan’s second booking.

Matt Ritchie doubled Newcastle’s lead.

With the visitors in disarray, Brazilian striker Joelinton ended his wretched run with his first goal in the league sinceAugust 25.

The victory moved them 11 points clear of the relegation zone. —