Aston Villa have halted a worrying five-game winless run in the Premier League with a last-gasp 2-1 success over Chelsea at Villa Park.
With both sides battling for a spot in UEFA's elite club competition, it was hardly surprising that the opening 45 minutes provided an evenly-matched affair, however the visitors from West London went into the dressing rooms ahead courtesy of a tap-in from Enzo Fernandez in the ninth minute.
Looking to avoid stretching their winless streak in the Premier League to six matches, Villa came out of the traps quickly in the second half, when January arrivals Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio linked up to restore parity in the contest for the hosts heading into the final 30 minutes.
Unai Emery's side were not content with only a point against one of their rivals for Champions League qualification, though, and it was the same pairing again who linked up to secure maximum points for the hosts in the 90th minute, with Paris Saint-Germain loanee Asensio bagging his second of the game.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Despite Chelsea heading into the half-time break in front, it is extremely hard to argue that Aston Villa were undeserving of three points on the balance of the entire contest.
The Villans kicked on significantly in the second period and forced a backs-to-the-wall approach from the visiting Blues, who have now lost three straight matches across all competitions.
Rashford and Asensio were brought to the Second City to give Unai Emery's men that extra firepower in the final third, with the pair delivering the goods in dramatic fashion this evening.
ASTON VILLA VS. CHELSEA HIGHLIGHTS
Enzo Fernandez goal vs. Aston Villa (9th min, Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea)
Moises Caicedo ➡️ Pedro Neto ➡️ Enzo Fernandez
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 22, 2025
What a start for Chelsea! 🔵⚡️ pic.twitter.com/4M9TU91tfQ
The visitors take the lead inside the opening 10 minutes of the contest via a counter-attacking move that will please Enzo Maresca as his side look to make amends following back-to-back Brighton & Hove Albion defeats.
Moises Caicedo commences the play by lofting a long ball out to Pedro Neto, who shows a great deal of both trickery and speed to fly past Ian Maatsen on the right-hand side before fizzing a low delivery into the box.
Despite his best efforts, Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is unable to claim the cross with an outstretched arm and the ball finds its way to Enzo Fernandez, who ghosts between the hosts' defenders to score a tap-in.
Marco Asensio goal vs. Chelsea (57th min, Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea)
Marcus Rashford on the assist, Marco Asensio gets the goal! 🤝
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 22, 2025
Aston Villa's goal is ruled onside after a VAR review ✅ pic.twitter.com/lWnd5lngQG
Villa are back on level terms and it's two of the new boys in the West Midlands who provide Chelsea with the blues at the beginning of the second half!
Matty Cash cuts inside on the right flank and delivers a ball behind the Chelsea backline, where, despite the best efforts of Malo Gusto, Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford is able to gain possession.
A host of Villans are lining up in the middle for a tap-in and Rashford's pass finds the path of Asensio, who swoops low and scoops the ball past Filip Jorgensen in the Chelsea net to level the scores.
Marco Asensio goal vs. Chelsea (90th min, Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea)
They've done it AGAIN!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 22, 2025
Marcus Rashford finds Marco Asensio! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WieVVyNxbe
Asensio bags his second of the match and surely wins the day for Champions League-chasing Villa!
Rashford is the provider once again, playing a one-two with Youri Tielemans from a corner, with the former England star fizzing the ball into the box, where an unmarked Asensio guides a volleyed effort towards the Chelsea net.
The attempt is fired straight at Jorgensen, who is unable to keep the shot at bay, with the ball squirming past the Dane, trickling into the visitors' net. The goalkeeper will be severely disappointed with his part in the goal.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MARCO ASENSIO
© Imago
Starting only his second match since a January switch from Paris Saint-Germain, Asensio showcased a level of quality that could get Aston Villa over the line in the race for Champions League football.
The Spaniard played the role of a poacher early in the second half to convert Rashford's low cross and was soon the provider of some last-minute drama, bagging a brilliant brace to claim maximum points for the Villans.
ASTON VILLA VS. CHELSEA MATCH STATS
Possession: Aston Villa 52%-48% Chelsea
Shots: Aston Villa 12-15 Chelsea
Shots on target: Aston Villa 6-7 Chelsea
Corners: Aston Villa 2-3 Chelsea
Fouls: Aston Villa 15-16 Chelsea
BEST STATS
He's done it again! 👀#AVLCHE #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/XREJO8lWvk
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 22, 2025
Pedro Neto had more touches in the opposition box (5) and created more chances (3) than any other Chelsea player in the first half vs. Aston Villa.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) February 22, 2025
Laying it on a plate for Enzo. 🍽️ pic.twitter.com/B12XLTmAah
Marco Asensio scores twice in a league game for the first time since 2021 for Real Madrid. ⚽️⚽️
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 22, 2025
Marcus Rashford assists twice in a league game for the first time since 2020 for Man Utd. 🅰️🅰️
Villa's new boys combine twice to earn Villa all three points against Chelsea. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DucbMqIhOY
Marcus Rashford has registered as many Premier League assists for Aston Villa against Chelsea today as Phil Foden in 20 matches this season (2). 👀 pic.twitter.com/MZqspEdedv
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) February 22, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Following late victory in front of their Second City faithful, Aston Villa are in Premier League action once again next, facing Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night before the hosting of Championship side Cardiff City in the FA Cup fifth round on Friday.
In the midst of a worrying run of results, Chelsea will be targeting a comfortable maximum as Premier League whipping boys Southampton visit Stamford Bridge on Tuesday ahead of a free weekend due to the Blues' elimination from the FA Cup.
Carter White
