Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea: The one where Luk is back

Romelu Lukaku - super sub

Chelsea's battle with Covid roulette hit another hurdle just hours before kicking off at Aston Villa. The home side's mid-week clash with Leeds was postponed leaving Villa free to field their strongest possible team while the Blues still had to consider their game against Brighton - among the current injuries and positive tests.

Thomas Tuchel made just two changes to the side that drew away at Wolves with Callum Hudson-Odoi returning to action following his period of self-isolation. And Trevoh Chalobah was restored to the defence allowing Cesar Azpilcueta a much needed break. CHO was part of an attacking trio that included Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic as a false nine. An experiment best not tried again. 

The pressure was well and truly on the European champions as kick-off loomed. Chelsea had won just three of their previous eight Premier League matches - more often than not throwing away the lead. But current league leaders, Man City, only went and done a Boxing Day madness with a nine-goal thriller against Leicester opening up a nine point gap.

Despite being without manager Steven Gerrard, it was Villa who looked brighter in the opening stages of the match making Thiago Silva earn that contract extension. Thankfully he was up to the task - as ever - and they failed to capitalise allowing Chelsea to calm their nerves and play their way into all the possession. Despite their efforts and a stunning attempt from Mason Mount which just sailed over Emi Martinez' goal, it was Villa who took the lead through an unlikely source.

Just minutes after Mount's whipped ball it was Edouard Mendy picking the ball out of his net after Reece James gets on the wrong end of a pacey ball from Targett. And just like that it was through Mendy's outstretched hands and in. It's not often James puts a foot out of turn but he struggled throughout and it summed up his afternoon. No doubt it will be a one off, but that will be no less frustrating to the driven defender.

The travelling support had to wait just six minutes for an equaliser. Jorginho scoring from the spot after Callum Hudson-Odoi won a penalty through Matty Cash's rash challenge. While not personally a fan of the hop-skip-jump approach, I'll allow it for the equaliser. Chelsea went into the break on level terms but it was obvious a change was needed.

Jorginho from the spot. Inevitable.

Tuchel reshuffled the pack to introduce Romelu Lukaku at the start of the second-half. Pulisic dropped into a wing-back role and James found himself with more cover in the back-three as Chalobah made way for Chelsea's number nine. It was a masterstroke giving a focal point to the attack. The American was like a ghost up front but found a way to be more effective as he dropped deeper. But it was CHO's cross that found Lukaku to take the lead just eleven minutes into the second half.

The Belgian continued to make his presence felt throughout the second half - clearly with a point to prove about his minutes being managed. But it worked to perfection - his introduction changed the game. Villa found it impossible to stop him once he got going - and as he raced towards Emi Martinez towards the end of the game - Ezri Konsa used the 'by any means necessary' method. Handing Jorginho his second penalty of the afternoon - a record breaker in a calendar year if you're into that sort of thing.

A near perfect Boxing Day with three points in the bag and Lukaku back to scoring. However defensive rock Thiago Silva was forced off through potential hamstring injury. And more worrying, Chelsea's perfect little midfield angel N'Golo has reaggravated his troublesome knee. Neither will likely feature against Brighton.

Roll on Wednesday

jb x

RESULT: Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea

GOALS: James (OG) 28', Jorginho 34', Lukaku 56', Jorginho 90'

CHELSEA XI: Mendy, James, Chalobah (Lukaku 46), Thiago Silva (Christensen 52), Rudiger, Alonso, Kante (Kovacic 63), Jorginho, Mount, Pulisic, Hudson-Odoi

STAR MAN: Lukaku