Chelsea’s hopes of securing a top-four finish took another major hit with their latest defeat at Aston Villa.
Enzo Maresca’s side produced a strong performance but left Villa Park empty-handed after a late goalkeeping blunder from Filip Jorgensen.
The result leaves them struggling to keep pace with the teams above, and the Champions League places are slipping further out of reach with just 12 games remaining.
Chelsea had an opportunity to climb back into contention but failed to capitalise. Enzo Fernandez’s early goal put them in control, yet they could not convert their dominance into a much-needed win.
Marcus Rashford’s introduction at half-time changed the game. He set up both Villa’s goals, including the late strike that slipped through Jorgensen’s hands.
Maresca admitted this was the toughest defeat of the season, particularly given Chelsea’s improvement after their back-to-back losses at Brighton & Hove Albion.
“The reaction from Brighton was brilliant, the performance was very good,” he said. “But, unfortunately, it is not enough.”
Chelsea’s inconsistency remains their biggest obstacle. They have now dropped 15 points from winning positions this season, including 13 since Boxing Day.
Maresca acknowledged that fine margins are costing his team. “In this league, you have to be clinical – the difference most of the time is inside the box,” he added.
“At 1-0 up, we had some chances and didn’t score. At 1-1, we had some chances and didn’t score. In the end, anything can happen, and unfortunately, we lost.”
Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s most reliable attacker this season, had the best chance to restore their lead but slipped at the crucial moment. His frustration was evident as he sat on the turf after the miss.
“Cole is a top player, and he belongs in that category,” Maresca said. “He is not happy with the chance he missed, but we can be almost happy with his reaction because it means he feels bad about it.”
Maresca previously suggested that winning all their home games might be enough to secure a top-four spot. Now, their away form is becoming an even greater concern.
“If you remember, at the start of the season, we won all our away games,” he said. “Now, we are struggling. It’s football.”
Chelsea’s next match against Southampton offers them a chance to reset, but time is running out. Without a dramatic turnaround, their top-four dream will soon be out of reach.
