Marco Asensio brace seals dramatic 2-1 win for Aston Villa over Chelsea

National World - LocalTV

BirminghamWorld reporter Charlie Haffenden reacts to Aston Villa's late 2-1 win against Chelsea, with two goals from Marco Asensio and two assists from Marcus Rashford.

Transcript

00:00Aston Villa have just come from behind to seal a dramatic and vital 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea.

00:07A huge result in the Champions League fight. Unai Emery's team now just one point outside the top five.

00:14One point behind Chelsea in sixth. Fifth should be enough this year to seal Champions League football due to the UEFA co-efficiency.

00:21And two huge goals from Marco Asensio and two big assists as well from Marcus Rashford off the bench.

00:27The two first goals for Asensio in Villa Colos after signing on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the winter transfer window.

00:33The second of which was in the 89th minute causing a late frenzy here at Villa Park.

00:38Such a key result. One that moves Unai Emery's team within tantalising distance of Champions League football.

00:44Of course still a very long way to go but so many positives to take especially with the spirited performance in this second half.

00:51It didn't start well though as Chelsea were the better team in the opening exchanges.

00:55Enzo Fernandes took advantage opening the scoring in the ninth minute.

00:59Some really poor defending from Ian Mattson. He was in for one of his first starts in a very long time at left back ahead of Luka Dean.

01:06Probably rotation given the congested schedule. He's just so flat-footed defending against Pedro Neto.

01:12Down the left and Villa's left, Chelsea's right. Neto able to just get past with one step over and a change of pace.

01:19Put the cross into the area and then Enzo was there to tap home in the six yard box.

01:24It wasn't just Mattson at fault though. Ezra Conza stepped up when he shouldn't have done.

01:27He just stayed where he was. He probably could have blocked the cross and then Matty Cash had Enzo there.

01:32He was marking him and allowed him free. I don't know what he was doing to be honest.

01:36He just completely lost track. Maybe went to sleep a little bit. Enzo able to poke it home for one nil.

01:41Chelsea not able to capitalise there on some other opportunities in that first half.

01:45Enzo going close, skimming the crossbar, having another shot saved, glancing one wide with a header as well.

01:51Villa were improving in fairness. They responded well to going a goal down and had plenty of opportunities themselves.

01:57It did take though until the second half to get back into the game. Marco Asensio scoring his first goal.

02:03It wasn't the best of goals. It was a tap-in from a yard and it wasn't actually given to start with.

02:09VAR had to intervene. A very good intervention actually. I think a good use of VAR.

02:13The Lionsmen's flag had gone up originally. It was a Matty Cash cross on his left foot to the far post.

02:19It wasn't cleared away by Malo Gusto for Chelsea right back.

02:23Rashford was there. Some good anticipation to flick the ball past Chelsea's goalkeeper Jorgensen.

02:28Asensio was on the line to poke it home. As I said, it was disallowed at first.

02:32It took a good minute or so for VAR to intervene. But it was the right decision in the end getting the goal.

02:37Asensio's first in Villa colours. Bendo was his second late on in the game. Villa deserved it I thought.

02:43Cole Palmer did have one opportunity on the transition for Chelsea seeing it cleared off the line by Konza.

02:48But Villa were in the ascendancy and looked the more likely team to score.

02:52This time it was a short corner from Rashford. Played to Thielmans. Back to Rashford.

02:56A delicate cross into the area. Asensio volleyed. Really Jorgensen should have done much better to save it.

03:03The ball kind of scrambling beneath his hands. Through his hands even. And Villa securing that late win.

03:09So not good enough from Chelsea's goalkeeper. But Villa won't care. Asensio won't care.

03:13The scenes here absolutely incredible. The noise within the place.

03:16Knowing how important those three points are in a Champions League fight.

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