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Chelsea vs Aston Villa: Three lessons learnt from chaotic cup tie

By Subhrajit Chowdhury

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Reece James after winning in the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Reece James after winning in the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s German striker Timo Werner celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on September 22, 2021. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s German striker Timo Werner celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on September 22, 2021. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea versus Aston Villa was the embodiment of a League Cup match. The two Premier League sides locked horns for over 90 minutes and in the end, the winner had to be decided via a penalty shootout. It was end-to-end action, the kind that has made English football so well known around the world. The match was not dominated by either of the two sides, although the Blues were expected to win quite comfortably. This just goes on to show the value of the Carabao Cup.

The Claret and Blues were lacking in possession, but they managed to get a lot of attacks completed. The visitors had seven shots on target, the same amount as Chelsea. It was a tough and chaotic match where either of the two sides could have won. Both the teams had brilliant chances and both squandered most of them, as well. In the end, goals from Timo Werner and Cameron Archer were enough to take the game to penalties. The London side won the shootout 4-3, however, it was a much closer match than it had anticipated. Although the Blues’ side was heavily rotated, even the Villa coach decided to play a lot of different players. Players such as Archer, Anwar El Ghazi and Bertrand Traore really made a difference for the Lions on the night.

On the other hand, Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr and Ruben Loftus-Cheek put in some good performances for the home side. Although Sarr often strayed out of his position, he had a good game overall. It was a much tougher fight than Thomas Tuchel would have wanted, but at the end of the night, the Blues have the win and they progress onto the fourth round to play Southampton. Chelsea can be satisfied with the win, although there will be a lot to discuss about the game.

Here are three lessons learnt from Wednesday’s game:

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