Aston Villa Report

Jacob Tanswell

FT: #AVFC 1-4 Chelsea Villa may point to Watkins' disallowed goal as a key moment; had it stood, may have given belief etc. But these are desperate times. Villa are in a CL race but it doesn't feel like that. It feels gloomy. Team looked mentally ragged, tactically confused

2026-03-04 21:35:00.000Z

Jacob Tanswell

Garnacho should score to make it 5-1. And yes, it came from Chelsea playing easily through #AVFC before another diagonal pass out-wide and behind Villa's defensive line. Subs are trying to make a difference but Villa look mentally cooked

2026-03-04 21:20:00.000Z

Jacob Tanswell

I assumed the gameplan was to stay compact and hit on the counter - the controlled, clinical gameplan you associate with #AVFC - instead those goals have been desperate, similar and so far from organised. Had to score when on top as confidence and composure looks affected now

2026-03-04 21:05:00.000Z

Jacob Tanswell

Loud groans as Watkins rounds Jorgensen but doesn't pull the trigger. It's such a chaotic game that #AVFC, even 3-1 down, feel still in this.

2026-03-04 20:58:00.000Z

Jacob Tanswell

#AVFC have to dig deep, now. Martinez's parry, again, is questionable, but Villa struggling to cut through Chelsea, shown in initial giveaway. Three changes on the way - Barkley, Sancho and Alysson are coming on.

2026-03-04 20:57:00.000Z

John Townley

GOAL: Cole Palmer gives Chelsea a two-goal cushion. #AVFC 1-3 Chelsea

2026-03-04 20:53:00.000Z

Jacob Tanswell

3-1, Palmer. Villa again done 2v1 out wide. Martinez pushes James' cross into the path of Palmer, who finishes. Comes from a cheap giveaway from Buendia. #AVFC

2026-03-04 20:53:00.000Z

Jacob Tanswell

It's a man-to-man game. Both teams pressing high and both sense they can win the ball in a dangerous area. But if either plays out of the first phase of pressure, there is a lot of space to run/dribble into (looking at you, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins). #AVFC

2026-03-04 20:49:00.000Z

Jacob Tanswell

Garnacho and Gusto seeing a lot of the ball in wide areas. Emery often solves this by dropping his wide players back in (6-3-1), but he clearly wants them in high positions to transition (Rogers & Bailey been dangerous in open spaces). So it's the risk Emery has to weigh up #AVFC

2026-03-04 20:27:00.000Z

Jacob Tanswell

HT: #AVFC 1-2 Chelsea Both carrying a threat but both fragile. Villa have not solved the issue out-wide and Chelsea's overloads. But do sense Villa will remain dangerous - Chelsea are inviting an open game with ball, leaving huge spaces - plays to Villa's transitional strengths

2026-03-04 20:27:00.000Z