Ollie Watkins came off the bench to score twice and complete a stunning 2-1 comeback win for Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge, delivering a club-record equalling 11th straight victory for Unai Emery's side and breathing fresh life into their title bid.
Chelsea had dominated for more than an hour and led through João Pedro's deft touch from a Reece James corner, but a masterful triple substitution from Emery transformed the contest. Watkins capitalised on a Benoît Badiashile mistake to bundle in an equaliser before rising to head in Youri Tielemans' late corner, leaving Enzo Maresca's young team crushed and their top-four hopes badly damaged.
Chelsea's Ferocious Start Pins Villa Back
From the opening whistle Chelsea harried, pressed and pinned Villa deep, producing a first half that was described as one of their most dominant at home this season. The visitors looked hopelessly out of sorts, struggling to escape their own half as blue shirts swarmed around them and forced errors in midfield and at the back.