Coach Enzo Maresca: 'Aston Villa's equalizer changed everything'

Coach Enzo Maresca thinks that Aston Villa's equalizer marked the crucial moment when Chelsea lost their grip on the game, leading to a regrettable 1-2 loss right at Stamford Bridge.

Coach Enzo Maresca stated that Chelsea lost control of the game perfectly due to a brief lapse in concentration when Aston Villa scored the equalizer in the unfortunate 1-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

In the 18th round of the Premier League, Chelsea started confidently, dominated possession, and took an early lead thanks to Joao Pedro’s goal. However, in the second half, Ollie Watkins’ brace crushed The Blues’ hopes and extended Aston Villa’s winning streak to 11 consecutive matches—a record that has impressed the entire league.

Due to a coaching ban, Maresca had to watch the match from the stands. Nevertheless, he clearly identified the reason behind the defeat: “The first conceded goal was the turning point of the match. For almost an hour before that, we had complete control. But once the equalizer came, the whole team lost rhythm and couldn’t maintain the necessary composure.”

The Italian coach admitted Chelsea had chances to finish the game early but wasted too many opportunities. “Before conceding, we should have been two or three goals ahead. When Villa scored, the momentum shifted and we lost our dominance,” he said.

According to Maresca, Chelsea’s biggest issue was their mental state during the match: “Every time we got equalized or conceded, the team lost confidence. This is not the first time it has happened. We need to learn how to control our emotions and the pace of the game, even under pressure.”

Despite the loss, the Italian strategist remains optimistic: “The players created many chances and frequently threatened the opponent’s goal. However, in the final third, we still lacked sharpness. This is something Chelsea must improve if they want to reclaim their rightful position.”

After the defeat, Chelsea fell behind the leading group by 10 points, while Aston Villa continued to soar under Unai Emery’s management, becoming one of the most remarkable stories of this Premier League season.