Aston Villa are enjoying a season straight out of a dream. Following their recent victory over Manchester United, the Birmingham club has now toppled another English giant, Chelsea, further cementing their place in the Premier League title race.
Substitute striker Ollie Watkins once again proved decisive, scoring twice to secure a 2-1 win over the Blues. His brace not only delivered three crucial points but also demonstrated Villa’s fighting spirit under manager Unai Emery.
With this victory, Aston Villa have now won 11 consecutive matches across all competitions—a feat the club had previously achieved only in 1897 and 1914. In the Premier League specifically, Villa have now strung together eight straight wins, a record not seen since 1910.
Saturday night’s clash at Stamford Bridge began in Chelsea’s favour. The hosts took the lead in the 37th minute when Joao Pedro capitalised on a Reece James corner. Despite their first-half advantage, Chelsea were unable to hold off a resurgent Villa side.
After the interval, Chelsea initially maintained the pressure, but the game’s momentum shifted in the 59th minute when Emery made a bold tactical decision, bringing on three substitutes simultaneously: Ollie Watkins, Amadou Onana, and Jadon Sancho.
Watkins immediately made an impact. Receiving a pass from Morgan Rogers inside the box in the 63rd minute, he fired a shot that was initially saved by goalkeeper Robert Sánchez—but he followed up on the rebound to score. Confidence surged through Villa, who pressed Chelsea relentlessly. In the 84th minute, Watkins doubled his tally with a powerful header from a Youri Tielemans corner, sealing a remarkable comeback.
Villa’s triumph at Stamford Bridge sends Chelsea tumbling to fifth in the league standings, while Aston Villa sit just three points behind leaders Arsenal, and only one point behind second-placed Manchester City. This remarkable form has seen Villa reach 39 points after 18 matches, the highest in the club’s Premier League history at this stage of the season.
Current Premier League Standings (Top 5 after 18 games):
| Position | Team | Played | Points | Gap to Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 18 | 42 | — |
| 2 | Manchester City | 18 | 40 | -2 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 18 | 39 | -3 |
| 4 | Newcastle United | 18 | 34 | -8 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 18 | 29 | -13 |
Villa will next face league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. A victory there could see Emery’s side break their own 1910 record for consecutive Premier League wins, creating a new chapter in the club’s illustrious history.