sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea: Mount brace and Kepa heroics seal fifth consecutive win under Graham Potter

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea: Mount brace and Kepa heroics seal fifth consecutive win under Graham Potter

The unbeaten run continues.

Chelsea continued their fine form under Graham Potter by sealing another win after clinching a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon at Villa Park.

Graham Potter's side were helped by goalkeeping excellence to keep another clean sheet, their fourth in a row, to claim a fifth straight win in all competitions.

Mason Mount put Chelsea in front after just six minutes, taking advantage of a defensive error to give the visitors the lead inside six minutes. He scored his second of the afternoon in the 65th minute with an excellent free-kick.

Chelsea's Mason Mount celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Villa Park. (Alamy)
Chelsea's Mason Mount celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Villa Park. (Alamy)

Aston Villa almost found a way in after two minutes when Danny Ings' cross deflected to the back post past Kepa Arrizabalaga, but Mateo Kovacic cleared to ensure the hosts didn't take an early, surprise lead.

It didn't take long for Chelsea to take the lead. After six minutes, Mason Mount took advantage of a shocking misplaced Tyrone Mings header to put it past Emiliano Martinez from close range to give the visitors an early advantage.

Leon Bailey nearly levelled the game nine minutes later after rising highest from close range following a John McGinn cross, but the crossbar saved Chelsea to keep their clean sheet and lead in tact.

Villa continued to threaten and forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into making an incredible triple save in the 21st minute. He parried away McGinn's initial effort, it fell to Jacob Ramsey but Kepa saved onto the post, before denying an offside Ings.

The hosts were starting to get joy and McGinn had another chance to level the game. Kepa was there again to make himself big to save from close range.

Complacency was creeping in for Chelsea. Marc Cucurella was getting caught out for his sluggishness on the left-hand side. Kepa was sparing Chelsea's blushes by making another save from close range. The star performer for the visitors in the first half.

Ings again had another goal and it was his best chance yet. He connected with the cross in the 27th minute but Kepa was there, again, to make an outstanding save to tip over the bar to somehow keep Chelsea ahead.

Ben Chilwell was the first to be booked by Robert Jones for chopping down Bailey, which VAR did check for a possible red card but decided it was only worth of a yellow.

Graham Potter manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match at Villa Park. (Alamy)
Graham Potter manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match at Villa Park. (Alamy)

After all the pressure from Villa, Chelsea should've doubled their lead five minutes before half-time. Kai Havertz broke the midfield line to find Raheem Sterling who cut inside, but his effort crashed off the woodwork.

Somehow Chelsea went into the interval still ahead. Kepa was the hero in the first, while Mount was the only players to put his chance away to find the net.

Potter made tweaks in the first half to try to improve Chelsea defensively, and at the break he made changes to the team. Cesar Azpilicueta and Kalidou Koulibaly replaced Cucurella and Havertz.

Aston Villa's Leon Bailey (left) and Chelsea's Marc Cucurella battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Villa Park. (Alamy)
Aston Villa's Leon Bailey (left) and Chelsea's Marc Cucurella battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Villa Park. (Alamy)

Villa started the second half like they ended the first, brightly. Koulibaly assured the defence up with his introduction but the hosts were still getting joy as they searched for an equaliser.

Aubameyang couldn't bag his fourth goal in as many games and was hooked in the 58th minute for Conor Gallagher, leaving Chelsea with no out-and-out striker on the pitch and Sterling playing in the central role.

Another change was made by Potter, his fourth of the afternoon, seven minutes later as Jorginho came on for Mateo Kovacic in the middle of the midfield.

From the change, Mount took a free-kick after being fouled by Mings. He stepped up and struck a stunning effort into the far corner to catch out Martinez to double Chelsea's lead.

Sterling had another chance after Gallagher found him in the box with an excellent cross, but despite leaving Martinez flat-footed the ball sailed wide of the post.

Potter made his final change in the closing minutes by bringing on Armando Broja for Sterling.

The visitors held on for another clean sheet and another win to keep them inside the top four places. It's been another excellent week for Potter and his side, who will now head back to the capital to face Brentford on Wednesday night.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Chelsea, Aston Villa, Premier League, Football

Choose your content: