Watkins’ double stuns Chelsea as Villa equals 111-year record

Aston Villa claimed a 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening thanks to Ollie Watkins’ brace.

Cole Palmer got the game’s first real chance in the third minute after Moises Caicedo found him at the edge of the box, but the Englishman dragged his effort just wide.

Minutes later, Palmer and Alejandro Garnacho teed up to find Enzo Fernandez at the edge of the area, who curled wide of the far post.

At the half-hour mark, João Pedro almost broke the deadlock after he was found with a cross by Pedro Neto, but Emiliano Martinez denied the Brazilian with his face.

Six minutes later, Reece James had his sights on goal, but he smashed his long-range effort wide.

However, the Blues took the lead a minute later after James delivered a curling cross from a corner, and it took a slight deflection off João Pedro’s calf into the back of the net.

John McGinn could have drawn the Villans level on the stroke of halftime, but his effort from a free-kick was collected by Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea resumed the restart on a strong foot, and the Blues had two quick-fire chances to double their advantage. First, Palmer drove into the area and drilled in a low cross to the far post for an onrushing Garnacho to tap home, but John McGinn poked the ball behind for a corner.

Moments later, James almost caught Martinez out after his misfit cross headed straight to goal, but the Argentine shot stopper leapt and tipped away the ball.

At the other end, the visitors grew into the game and soon tested Sanchez as Kamara was found by Watkins, but the midfielder’s effort was saved by Sanchez.

Just past the hour mark, Watkins restored parity when Kamara and Morgan Rogers teed up after collecting a loose pass from Benoit Badiashile.

Rogers found Watkins, who struck his effort at the feet of an onrushing Sanchez, and the ball rebounded off the Englishman’s chest and into an empty net.

Minutes later, Sanchez denied former Blue Ian Maatsen from close range.

The visitors continued to search for a winner as Watkins beat his markers and unleashed a low shot, forcing Sanchez to make a smart stop.

In the 84th minute, Watkins doubled his tally and gave Villa the lead after he rose highest to meet Youri Tielemans’ corner, and the Englishman headed the ball beyond a stretching Sanchez.

Deep into stoppage time, Sanchez made a mess of Chelsea’s counter as he slipped just outside the area, forcing the referee to award a free kick at the edge of the area, and Sanchez denied Lucas Digne from the resulting free kick.

Aston Villa have now equalled their 111-year record of 11 consecutive victories in all competitions with their win at Stamford Bridge.