Chelsea are hitting their stride under Enzo Maresca, and Aston Villa became their latest victims in a dominant 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge. It was Chelsea’s third victory in eight days, extending their unbeaten streak to six games in all competitions. The result moves them level on points with Arsenal in second place and firmly in contention for Champions League qualification.
Despite the growing excitement, Maresca has been careful to manage expectations. The Chelsea boss has insisted this season is about rebuilding, not chasing titles, but his team is starting to look like a well-oiled machine, and the buzz around Stamford Bridge is growing.
The match started with Chelsea wasting no time to take control. Nicolas Jackson, who’s in red-hot form, opened the scoring in just the seventh minute. Marc Cucurella’s pinpoint cross found Jackson in the box, and the Senegalese striker volleyed the ball home via the near post. It was his eighth goal of the season, another sign of his growing confidence under Maresca. Villa appealed for a foul in the buildup, claiming Cucurella had pushed Jaden Philogene, but the referee waved it off.
Chelsea’s Young Stars Steal the Show
For Villa, it’s been a tough few months. Their thrilling Champions League win over Bayern Munich in October feels like ancient history. Now, they’re winless in eight matches, sitting 12th in the league and struggling to find answers. They showed flashes of resistance but were ultimately no match for Chelsea’s fluid attack.
The Blues doubled their lead in the 36th minute, and it was a beauty. Enzo Fernandez, one of the standout players in this Chelsea side, received the ball in the box, took a clever touch to create space, and fired a low shot past Emiliano Martinez. The Argentine’s composure and class were on full display, and the goal left Villa looking completely deflated.
From there, it was all Chelsea. They controlled the game, barely giving Villa a sniff of hope. The icing on the cake came in the 83rd minute when Cole Palmer delivered a moment of magic. The young midfielder picked up the ball on the edge of the area and curled a stunning shot into the top corner. It was his eighth goal of the season and yet another reminder of why he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge.
While Chelsea continue their upward trajectory, Tottenham had a frustrating afternoon, drawing 1-1 against 10-man Fulham. Brennan Johnson gave Spurs the lead in the 54th minute after a neat assist from Timo Werner, but Tom Cairney equalized with a brilliant curling shot in the 67th minute. Cairney’s day ended on a sour note when he was sent off in the 83rd minute after a reckless foul on Dejan Kulusevski. Even with the man advantage, Spurs couldn’t find a winner, leaving their hopes of a top-four finish hanging in the balance
Back at Stamford Bridge, it was a day to savor for Chelsea fans. This wasn’t just a win—it was another sign that Maresca’s vision is starting to take shape. Jackson, Fernandez, and Palmer were all outstanding, and the team looks like it’s finally gelling. Champions League football, once a distant dream, now feels like a realistic goal.
For Villa, however, it’s another setback in a season that started with so much promise. They’ll need to find solutions quickly to avoid falling further down the table. For Chelsea, the future looks brighter with every game, and fans are starting to believe that this rebuild might lead to something special. Stamford Bridge is alive again, and the journey under Maresca is just beginning.
