Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa: Diego Costa nets on return as Blues bounce back

Chelsea returned to winning ways as they beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Diego Costa profited from a defensive mix-up for the visitors as the Blues looked to bounce back from the 3-1 defeat to Southampton before the international break.

The unfortunate Alan Hutton then diverted the ball into his own net shortly after the break, and the visitors never really looked like getting back into the game.

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It's Chelsea's second home win of the season and only their third in the opening nine games, but it's a vital result for Mourinho's men as they look to kick-start their campaign.

The hosts looked nervy in the opening stages, with Villa trying to take advantage and attacking regularly down the right-hand side, putting pressure on debutant Baba.

Alan Hutton was having plenty of joy along that wing, but he spurned a good chance early on as he worked space in the box, but then fired straight at Asmir Begovic before missing the rebound.

Jordan Ayew then went close as he curled a free kick on to the roof of the net, before Rudy Gestede should have put Sherwood's men in front, somehow lifting Ayew's cross over the bar with an outstretched leg from close range.

Chelsea v Villa: five things

Diego Costa and Ruben Loftus-Cheek among the talking points in Chelsea's win over Aston Villa

John Terry headed over from a Willian free kick, but moments later Chelsea took the lead after a howler from Brad Guzan in the 34th minute.

The goalkeeper played a terrible ball out to Joleon Lescott and Willian was able to steal the ball, before moving into the box and squaring to Costa, who had the simplest of finishes to put the hosts in front.

Mourinho's men started the second half much better than they did the first, and on 54 minutes their lead was doubled.

Cesc Fabregas clipped a superb ball over the top for Costa, who did well to bring the ball down in the box and cut back on to his right. His attempted pass was blocked by Hutton, but the ball looped off his leg and beyond Guzan before rolling into the net.

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Villa looked dejected after a massive slice of luck for the hosts, and Chelsea looked more likely to score again than the visitors did to pull one back.

Pedro curled wide from a good position, but Sherwood's men did have a good chance as a Carles Gil free kick was met by Lescott, who couldn't connect with a header properly. The ball did drop for him, but Cesar Azpilicueta made a vital block to stop him firing home from close range.

Fabregas missed an opportunity to make it three late on as he started and finished a move, playing the ball out to Willian before racing into the box to meet his return ball, but the Spaniard could only flash a shot wide of the far post.

With Villa looking out of ideas, Chelsea were able to see out the closing stages comfortably and take a well-needed win as well as securing just their second clean sheet of the season.

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Soccer Saturday verdict - Phil Thompson

A few weeks ago Joe Mourinho said his side needed a break, and Brad Guzan must have been listening as he gifted them the first goal. Then another gift, as the deflection for Chelsea's second beat Guzan. If Jose wanted a break, he got two in one go.

The first half was quite easy, but the second was a canter for Chelsea. It was like a different Villa team in the second half, so negative. For all that possession, they just didn't get forward. It really was dreadful from Villa in the second half. From what I saw, I do fear for Villa.

Player ratings

Chelsea: Begovic (6), Azpilicueta (7), Terry (6), Zouma (6), Baba (4), Loftus-Cheek (6), Fabregas (7), Ramires (7), Willian (7), Pedro (5), Costa (8).

Used subs: Hazard (6), Remy (6), Matic (7).

Aston Villa: Guzan (4), Hutton (7), Richards (7), Lescott (6), Richardson (6), Gana (5), Westwood (5), Grealish (7), Ayew (6), Gil (5), Gestede (6).

Used subs: Traore (6), Amavi (6).

Man of the match: Diego Costa