Blues show some bottle at last as late Gallagher strike denies Villa
THERE were fans with flares outside Villa Park’s Trinity Road Stand turning the air claret and blue as the team coaches arrived. ‘On our way, on our way, to the Champions League, we’re on our way,’ they slurred after a thirsty Saturday build-up.
They expected a victory against a Chelsea team that have resembled a £1billion travelling circus at times this season, not least in their five-goal mauling at Arsenal in midweek.
It looked like that victory was on its way when Villa led by two goals, and yet, this Chelsea team showed as much courage as we have seen from them all season.
From 2-0 down at half-time, they took total control, eventually scoring in the second half through Noni Madueke and then a Conor Gallagher curler which sailed into the top corner to equalise.
Chelsea thought they had won it when substitute Axel Disasi turned the ball home, only for VAR to intervene and award a freekick to the hosts for a foul in the build-up.
It took less than five minutes for Villa to take the lead. It involved dire defending as a single pass from Pau Torres split Madueke and Trevoh Chalobah, the right winger and rightback who were not on the same page. That led to a cutback by Lucas Digne for John McGinn, who bundled the ball over the line via Marc Cucurella.
Villa looked to shovel salt into Chelsea’s wounds after that own goal by scoring an immediate second, with Digne striking the side-netting while Ollie Watkins tested Djordje Petrovic.
Then, out of nowhere, Chelsea equalised — or so they thought. Moises Caicedo’s ball over the top was collected nicely by Nicolas Jackson, the now shaven-headed striker producing a
confident finish over Emiliano Martinez. Villa Park was silent until the tannoy announcer confirmed VAR was studying whether Jackson was on or offside. Unfortunately for Chelsea, he was off.
Mykhailo Mudryk sent at least two swerving shots embarrassing wide of Martinez’s goal, one of them so poor it landed at the feet of the assistant referee. Cole Palmer fired another opportunity over the crossbar while Gallagher could not find the target from 20 yards, either.
The worst of the wasted chances was squandered by Jackson when Cucurella’s hanging cross found him unmarked and he headed onto the post from six yards.
In the 42nd minute, Villa doubled their lead when Morgan Rogers scored through the legs of Chalobah from the edge of the box.
Pochettino’s players had created more than enough chances to score. They had managed almost 80 per cent possession at Villa Park. And yet, they trailed 2-0 at half-time. Typical, Pochettino can only have thought as he trudged down the tunnel.
Worryingly for the 52-year-old Argentine, his substitutes’ bench screamed inexperience with the defender Axel Disasi his only senior outfielder. As well as two goalkeepers, there was Deivid Washington and Tyrique George, both 18, and Josh Acheampong and Kiano
Dyer, both 17, but no one with a reputation for changing a game. It would largely be left to the players on the pitch.
At the start of the second half, Emery made a change himself, but not one we were expecting as goalkeeper Martinez was replaced by Robin Olsen.
Cucurella tried to test him within a minute of the restart but only blasted the ball well over.
In the 49th minute, Caicedo and Douglas Luiz engaged in a minor scrap, earning each a caution. Caicedo soon took his anger out on the ball but his rocket sailed into Olsen’s arms.
Chelsea started to create chances all over again. Madueke beat Digne when he cut inside but could not find the far corner. Thiago Silva, still going strong at 39, sent a header goalward but Matty Cash threw his body in the way to block.
Then, at long last, Chelsea scored. It started with Villa trying to play out from the back, only for Gallagher to show why he is the Premier League’s best presser by pinching possession off Luiz.
That led to Madueke directing the ball into the bottom corner to halve the deficit. Chelsea were all over Villa with Olsen needing to punch clear Madueke’s cross-cum-shot. Villa Park was showing its nerves
Chelsea’s performance deserved a point, if not all three, and it was the captain Gallagher who saved them from defeat in the 81st minute.
A beautiful finish it was, too, as the ball sailed beyond the reach of Olsen and into the top corner.
ASTON VILLA (4-4-1-1): Martinez (Olsen 46); Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bailey (Carlos 76), Tielemans (Diaby 27, Duran 83), Luiz (Iroegbunam 76), Rogers; McGinn; Watkins. Subs (not used): Chambers, Lenglet, KeslerHayden, Kellyman. Booked: Luiz, Rogers, Bailey.
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Chalobah, Silva (Disasi 90), Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk (Casadei 90); Jackson. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Curd, Gilchris, Acheampong, George, Dyer, Washington. Booked: Caicedo, Mudryk, Madueke.
Referee: Craig Pawson. Attendance: N/A.