Free highlights and match report as John Terry suffers defeat on his first return to Stamford Bridge
Thursday 5 December 2019 06:02, UK
Chelsea returned to winning ways as Mason Mount's thunderous volley secured a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
The hosts broke the deadlock when Tammy Abraham rose to head in his 11th Premier League goal of the season (24) against the side he scored 26 times for on loan in the Championship last season.
But Dean Smith's side levelled against the run of play before half-time as Trezeguet scrambled the ball over the line from close range (41).
Chelsea were back in front three minutes after the restart when Mount struck in style and the Blues held on for their first victory in four games.
The result puts Chelsea six points clear of fifth-placed Wolves but, perhaps more significantly, eight clear of Manchester United and nine ahead of Tottenham. Aston Villa remain 15th after their two-match unbeaten run was ended in west London - a point above the relegation zone after Southampton's win over Norwich.
John Terry returned to Chelsea for the first time since making the last of his 717 appearances for the club in May 2017 against Sunderland, ending his 22 years' worth of service with a fifth Premier League trophy in his hands.
The former centre-back was given a guard of honour that day after 26 minutes in recognition of his shirt number, and the Aston Villa assistant was given a warm reception by the supporters who once idolised him.
His banner 'Captain, Leader, Legend' decorated the Matthew Harding End as it had during the 1-0 home defeat to West Ham four days earlier; a match in which Chelsea had failed to commit a single foul.
It is a statistic that would never have occurred during Terry's time, but, after Tottenham had closed to within six points of them in the fourth and final Champions League place, Chelsea were aggressive from the first whistle against Villa and were rewarded for a bright start.
Willian forced Tom Heaton into an early save before Abraham fluffed a presentable chance as Tyrone Mings failed to clear Cesar Azpilicueta's cross.
Mount lacked power and accuracy with two quickfire attempts, but Chelsea deservedly took the lead when Abraham, who missed the defeat by the Hammers with a hip injury, rose in between Mings and Heaton to head into an unguarded net from Reece James' cross.
Three minutes before the interval, however, Villa were level as Jack Grealish combined with John McGinn before Ahmed Elmohamady's low cross was met by Trezeguet, who hooked the ball home at the second attempt.
It was the first Premier League goal to be both scored and assisted by Egyptian players - but the second half was one-way traffic, as Lampard's men went on to produce 25 attempts at goal. They emphatically restored their lead three minutes after the restart.
Willian was afforded too much space by Matt Targett to deliver the cross from the right and Abraham's expert lay-off with his chest was blasted into the roof of the net by Mount for his first Premier League goal in seven games.
Azpilicueta, on his return to the side, then saw his shot fizz a yard wide of the post before Mount came close to his second when his rising effort from outside the box just cleared the crossbar.
Instead, it really ought to have been Abraham who doubled his tally for the night when he was put through by Willian after 73 minutes, but, from a tight angle, the striker clipped his shot wide of Heaton's far post.
It was Willian's turn to come within inches of putting the contest to bed when his free-kick was brilliantly clawed away by Heaton to keep Villa in the game - and Smith's side very nearly snatched an unlikely point in the final minute of normal time.
Douglas Luiz rose to meet Elmohamady's cross but Kepa Arrizabalaga produced a fine save to keep Chelsea's lead intact and ensure they ended a run of back-to-back defeats with a victory which narrows the gap on third-placed Manchester City to three points.
Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard: "It should have been more comfortable, we should have been more clinical, but this was the team I wanted to see. We played really well the whole game.
"I'm happy but I want more - the last week has been a good example of that. I saw us go to Man City and play at their level, and then against West Ham not be that team. We were back to where we want to be today."
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith: "The best team won on the night. I'm disappointed with the manner of the goals and we gave the ball away too cheaply. It was a patchy game for us.
"When we played with belief, we put them under pressure but when you step off, top teams can put you under pressure."
It was a hugely impressive return to form for Mount, and, after scoring 11 goals in the Championship for Derby last season, the midfielder now already has five to his name this term.
The 20-year-old has seamlessly made the step up in class having also become a member of Gareth Southgate's England side, but having gone 10 games for club and country without a goal, here he was a constant threat throughout.
No player had more shots than Mount's five and his passing accuracy of 89.7 per cent was the third highest of any outfield Chelsea player.
Chelsea travel to face Everton at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday; Kick-off is at 12.30pm.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa host Leicester on Renault Super Sunday; coverage starts on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event at 1pm with kick-off at 2pm.
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