VILLA PARK RECAP: A Disappointing Evening for Chelsea
VILLA PARK — As the match unfolded and both teams pushed for a decisive late goal, it became increasingly evident which Chelsea players were capable of tracking back during the critical moments of the game. In the 88th minute, when Aston Villa launched a counterattack, Reece James was notably seen merely jogging back into position. This match marked his first full 90 minutes since November, and it was clear that he lacked the necessary stamina.
The fast break initiated by Villa saw Marcus Rashford set up Donyell Malen, whose shot was expertly saved by Chelsea’s Filip Jorgensen. However, disaster struck during the resulting corner when Jorgensen allowed Marco Asensio’s shot to slip under him, sealing a comeback victory for Villa. This result tightens the race for Champions League qualification for the upcoming season, making it more competitive than ever.
From Promise to Disarray
What began as a promising outing for Chelsea, with Enzo Fernandez netting an early goal in the ninth minute, quickly devolved into a display of disarray as Enzo Maresca’s side crumbled under pressure. After a week of preparation following their defeat to Brighton, Chelsea appeared leggy and outplayed once Villa found their rhythm.
It seems that the eight-day gap since the last game may have given Maresca too much time to overthink his strategy. His unexpected choice to deploy James in a defensive midfield role proved to be a significant misstep. While James cannot bear the brunt of the blame alone, with Cole Palmer’s drop in form and Jorgensen’s blunder also contributing, James appeared out of sorts in a position he had played sparingly in Chelsea’s colors.
- James has only played defensive midfield three times previously for Chelsea.
- His last registered appearance in this role was on December 8, 2021, in a Champions League match against Zenit.
- He also played defensive midfield during his loan at Wigan in the 2018-19 season.
Comparative Quality and Tactical Decisions
Perhaps Maresca was reminiscing about past performances, but the contrast between this current iteration of James and a player of Moises Caicedo’s caliber was glaring. Caicedo excelled against Villa, contributing eight combined blocks, interceptions, and tackles, whereas James managed only three. This discrepancy became particularly concerning as the game opened up in the final quarter.
Rashford’s fresh legs provided Villa with the momentum they needed, with the Manchester United loanee receiving accolades for his performance alongside match-winner Asensio. Throughout the second half, Rashford consistently troubled Malo Gusto, leading James to possibly wish he was stationed at right-back, where he could have dealt with a player he knows well from their time together in the England camp.
In total, Gusto and James committed three of Chelsea’s five errors against Villa. This was their first league start together since a 1-1 draw at Manchester United in November, where James played left-back and Gusto occupied the right side. Given the circumstances, this may very well be their last start together for the foreseeable future.
Challenges on the Bench
However, the situation may not be as straightforward as it seems. A glance at Chelsea’s bench revealed a lack of depth, which likely influenced Maresca’s decision to experiment with James in midfield. The absence of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was particularly noteworthy, as he did not even make an appearance despite the game calling out for tactical changes.
- Dewsbury-Hall has played just 157 minutes in the Premier League this season, with only one start.
- His exclusion from the matchday squad raises questions, especially with Romeo Lavia still sidelined due to injury.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea finds themselves at a crossroads. Once positioned second in the league, they now sit uncomfortably in sixth place. This unfortunate shift in fortunes may be coincidental, but it highlights the myriad issues plaguing the team at this critical juncture. While the prospect of the Conference League remains, failing to secure a Champions League spot from their earlier position would be deemed a significant setback.
