Graham Potter Reacts To Chelsea Stunning 2-0 Defeat Against Aston Villa At Stamford Bridge.

 Chelsea were stunned by Aston Villa, as the West London side fell to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Following a draw with relegation-threatened Everton before the international break, manager Graham Potter wanted his Chelsea team to bounce back but they did quite the opposite.

He made three changes to the Blues' line-up, with Marc Cucurella and Ruben Loftus-Cheek coming in to form a back three which was put under immense pressure.

Aston Villa started the game the more hungry side having the better chances as John McGinn rattled the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the box.

Moments later, Kalidou Koulibaly and Cucurella were involved in a mix-up which allowed Ollie Watkins to take the advantage and steam through in the 18th minute, beating the advancing Kepa in a one-on-one.

In doing so, Watkins became the first ever Villa player to score in five Premier League matches in a row away from home.

Chelsea knew they had to provide a positive response immediately after conceding, and were on top for much of the first half.

Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix both wasted good chances to level for the home side, with the Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in fine form between the posts for Aston Villa.

The Blues continued to push for an equaliser following the break but with only 11 minutes into the second half, McGinn sent a powerful effort from 25-yards into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 for the visitors.

It was a goal that came against the run of play, as Chelsea failed to score in a home game for the fourth time in 2023.

Despite the introduction N’Golo Kante for his first appearance since August, the French midfielder couldn't do nothing to change the outcome as Villa held on for a big win. 

The result means that Aston Villa leapfrog Chelsea in the table, sending Potter's team into the bottom half as they suffer the tenth defeat of the season, dropping to 11th with 38 points from 28 games.

They are also nine points behind fifth-placed Newcastle United having played two games more, and 11 points off fourth place. 

Villa's boss Unai Emery continues to revive the team, with the Spanish coach taking Aston Villa to ninth by extending their unbeaten run to five matches.

Villa climb up to ninth place in the table, just two points shy of the European places.

Chelsea manager, Graham Potter further reflected over the devastating defeat,

“In both boxes we were second best. The first goal was disappointing from our perspective. We need to do a little better there, of course. 

“But there were a lot of good things in the game, a lot of attacking play, attacking entries, shots.

“But because of the scoreline it’s not. We’re down in the game and we’re really disappointed,” Potter told Sky Sports

Next up, Graham Potter’s Blues host Liverpool on Tuesday evening while Villa visit Leicester City.

The Blues also prepares to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final in under two weeks' time.