Ollie Watkins scores twice off the bench as Aston Villa beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge for an 11th consecutive Premier League victory
OLLIE Watkins came off the bench to score twice and maintain Aston Villa’s unexpected Premier League title challenge with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The England international’s second-half double secured an 11th consecutive victory for Unai Emery’s side.
The result takes third-placed Villa back within three points of leaders Arsenal, whom they face next on Tuesday.
Chelsea, who have now won just once in six league games, were left to rue not capitalising on their first-half dominance after taking a 1-0 lead into the break.
The hosts controlled possession and finally broke the deadlock after 37 minutes when a Reece James corner deflected in off Joao Pedro.
Emery turned the tide with a triple substitution on the hour mark, introducing Watkins alongside Jadon Sancho and Amadou Onana.
Watkins levelled soon after, with his initial shot saved by Robert Sanchez only to ricochet back off him and in off the post.
Villa grew in strength and got the winner when Watkins rose highest to power in a Youri Tielemans corner, equalling the club’s best winning run since 1914.
Crucially, Emery’s men also move 10 points clear of Chelsea in the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League.
