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Chelsea 0-1 Aston Villa: 3 Blues lessons learned

By Abdul Abdullahi

Chelsea's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Ian Kington / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Ian Kington / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea
Chelsea’s Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Ian Kington / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea have once again lost at Stamford Bridge against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. This marked the third consecutive Premier League game in which the Blues failed to score this season, as well as three loses after six matches. In the first 45 minutes, both teams had promising opportunities. Robert Sanchez made an impressive save after a powerful volley from Lucas Digne, while Emiliano Martinez denied Nicolas Jackson at the other end.

Sanchez was once again crucial for the hosts, making a superb reflex save to prevent Villa from taking the lead. Shortly after, CFC believed they had gained the advantage when Axel Disasi headed the ball into the net, but he was deemed offside, leaving the teams level at halftime.

The second half saw the home side pressing forward, with early chances for Raheem Sterling and Jackson, but they couldn’t convert. The dynamics of the game shifted dramatically when Malo Gusto received a red card following a VAR review. Pressure mounted on the Londoners and, eventually, Villa capitalized on a counter-attack, with Ollie Watkins netting the sole goal of the match, securing the win.

Here are three Blues lessons learned as Chelsea loses for the third time in six league games

Nicolas Jackson suspended and blanked once again

Scoring only one goal in six games isn’t too shabby for a recently joined league striker. However, closely observing Jackson’s performance and the type of misses he’s had, it’s becoming increasingly doubtful that his goal-scoring abilities will improve over time. Issues like poor ball striking, questionable decisions in front of the goal, and a mediocre positional sense all suggest that Chelsea might be in need of an established goal-scorer, which is evidently lacking in the current roster.

Furthermore, Jackson’s lack of discipline is a concerning factor. He’s now accumulated his fifth yellow card of the season in just six games, despite all of Pochettino’s warnings. Consequently, he’s set to miss the upcoming game against Fulham due to suspension, along side Malo Gusto after receiving a straight red. Unlike Gusto who’s missing three matches, Jackson is just the one.

Given that Chelsea has invested over a billion pounds in transfers over the past two summer windows, it would be disastrous if their goal-scoring predicament forces the club into another significant expenditure on a center forward. Yet, there might be a silver lining in the potential return of Armando Broja from injury.

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