Chelsea: Three lessons learnt against Aston Villa on league’s return

Chelsea finally got to return to action with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa. The more things change, the more things stay the same in these three lessons.

Chelsea returns to Premier League action after exactly 105 days since their last competitive fixture. In what was a fiercely contested match between Champions League chasing Chelsea and relegation threatened Aston Villa, here are the lessons learnt from Aston Villa 1-Chelsea 2.

1. A rusty return to Project Restart

Chelsea actually played reasonably well considering the three month hiatus the players had to endure due to the effects of COVID-19. Aside from the usual incisive passing and decent chance creation, the Blues displayed great hunger and desire to take control of the match right from the onset.

Nonetheless, the months of inaction undoubtedly showed and manifested itself in the constant breakdown of Chelsea’s moves in the final third. From Willian’s failed through balls to Cesar Azpilicueta’s more often than not hopeful crossing, Chelsea generally struggled to penetrate Villa’s low block until the introduction of Christian Pulisic and Ross Barkley in the second half.

Even after Chelsea had taken the lead thanks to two quick fire second half goals, the shaky defending meant a nervy ending to a game the away side had largely dominated. Both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen were subjects of individual moments of scrutiny when the former miskicked a ball and the latter allowed a ball through his studs to nearly set up Jota for an unlikely equalizer.

Ultimately, in a week when all of Chelsea’s closest rivals dropped points, the Blues cap off a largely fine display with another three points in the quest for a top four finish.