Chelsea had conceded first on each of their previous three visits to Villa Park, but a howler from Tyrone Mings ensured they wouldn’t suffer that fate again. The centre-back’s header looped up into the air behind the defensive line and handed Mount the chance to slide his volley past Emiliano Martínez.
Gerrard’s men responded brilliantly and controlled much of the first half, leaving the under-fire manager scratching his head as to how his side remained behind in the game. Leon Bailey headed against the bar from close range, before the Jamaican international picked out Danny Ings inside the six-yard box, but the forward’s effort was met by a world-class reaction save from Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Shortly before the interval, Chelsea sent a warning of their own when Raheem Sterling struck his effort against the woodwork on the counter. Graham Potter had seen his side put in an unconvincing display before the break though, and introduced Kalidou Koulibaly and César Azpilicueta for the second period. However, the hosts continued to dominate, with only their misfiring forward line preventing them from levelling the scores.
Just as in the opening stages of the contest, an individual error from one of his backline cost Gerrard as Chelsea doubled their lead. Mount was again the instigator, with his free-kick wrongfooting Martínez to nestle in the back of the net and seal all three points for the Blues. A crucial victory kept Potter’s 100% PL record in charge of Chelsea intact, ending Villa’s four-match unbeaten streak in the process.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mason Mount (Chelsea)
