Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa: Blues Positives and Negatives

Chelsea made three wins out of three since the international break, defeating Aston Villa 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernández, and Cole Palmer scored as the Blues secured a dominant victory. Here’s a breakdown of the positives and negatives from the match.

Positives

1. Changes on the Wings

One common fan complaint about Chelsea's Premier League lineup was Enzo Maresca's persistence with Noni Madueke despite his recent underwhelming performances. On Sunday, the Italian head coach opted for a change, starting Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto on the wings. Their presence ensured Chelsea maintained width, enabling better coverage while minimizing space for Aston Villa to exploit.

Sancho’s dribbling repeatedly troubled Villa’s defense, while Neto’s pinpoint crosses posed constant threats. This dynamic wing play allowed Enzo Fernández and Cole Palmer to operate centrally and contribute more effectively to the attack—a combination that led to Chelsea’s second goal, finished off by Fernández.

2. Cole Palmer Back Among Goals

Cole Palmer shone brightly, winning the official Premier League Man of the Match award with an assist and a spectacular goal. Unlike previous matches, Palmer was positioned higher up the pitch, enabling him to showcase his creative and attacking prowess. The inclusion of Sancho and Neto provided him the freedom to excel in advanced areas.

Palmer’s elite pressing set the tone for the team’s defensive efforts, further underlining his importance. His ability to spark attacks and lead the press makes him an indispensable part of Chelsea’s setup.

3. Moises Caicedo at Right-Back

With Reece James sidelined until 2025 and Malo Gusto only fit enough for the bench, Maresca deployed Moisés Caicedo as a right-back. Caicedo, who has experience in the role from his Brighton days, brought unique advantages to the position.

Maresca’s preference for inverting full-backs was well-served by Caicedo, whose natural central midfield instincts allowed him to slot seamlessly into the middle when needed. This setup effectively blocked Aston Villa’s central attacking attempts towards Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers, forcing them into less dangerous long balls.

Caicedo’s presence also allowed Enzo Fernández to maintain an advanced role during possession. It paid dividends as Fernández scored in his second consecutive league match.

4. Clean Sheet

Chelsea secured their first Premier League clean sheet since September against one of last season's top-four sides. The defensive adjustments played a significant role, with Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill forming a dependable partnership.

Robert Sánchez avoided unnecessary risks and put in a solid performance. A late defensive intervention by Colwill, clearing a Jhon Durán header, epitomized Chelsea’s defensive discipline.

5. Attacking Intent Sustained

For the first time since their home fixture against Brighton in September, Chelsea scored more than two goals in the league. The team maintained relentless attacking pressure throughout the match, forcing mistakes from Aston Villa.

Rather than showing excessive respect for last season’s achievements, Chelsea balanced acknowledgment of Villa’s current form with aggressive play. With better finishing, the scoreline could easily have been more emphatic. The win sees Chelsea finish the weekend in third place, tied with Arsenal on points and record, separated only by alphabetical order.

Negatives

1. Avoidable Defensive Errors

Despite the clean sheet, Chelsea’s defense had moments of concern. Wesley Fofana slipped early in the first half, gifting possession to Ollie Watkins, whose tame shot spared Chelsea embarrassment.

Levi Colwill made two misjudged clearances, and there were instances of unconvincing passing, offering Villa chances they failed to capitalize on. Against more clinical opponents, such errors could cost Chelsea dearly.

2. Injury to Wesley Fofana

Wesley Fofana, a cornerstone of Chelsea’s defense this season, was forced off early in the second half with a hamstring injury. The French center-back had shown significant growth since his return from last season’s ACL injury.

Fofana is expected to be sidelined for 4-5 weeks, meaning Chelsea will be without him for several key fixtures. However, Maresca can take solace in Chelsea’s defensive depth. Benoît Badiashile, who replaced Fofana, performed admirably. Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo are also ready to step in if required.