Romelu Lukaku’s late arrival powers Chelsea to victory over Aston Villa

This was some way for Romelu Lukaku to reintroduce himself. He returned to from an ankle injury in style, coolly heading in before running half the pitch to earn a stoppage-time penalty at Aston Villa to help Chelsea earned a much-needed victory. Thomas Tuchel certainly tested the give in the turf here – bouncing up and down in frustration as Chelsea trailed to a first-half own goal by Reece James – but by close of play he could count himself happy, a first league win in three matches ensuring his side move level with Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and can still spy leaders Manchester City on an afternoon when those below them in the table gathered speed.

In the absence of Steven Gerrard, who had to watch from home after testing positive for coronavirus, it was down to his assistants, Gary McAllister and Michael Beale, to conduct Villa’s rhythm. Villa did not lack any early momentum, Ollie Watkins harrying and cutting out James’s pass within a matter of seconds and Tuchel was soon contorting on the touchline as Christian Pulisic – whose manager had warned he was “fighting for confidence” in the No 9 role he again started in – laboured to press the impressive Douglas Luiz. Villa were lively, Chelsea very much second best. Thiago Silva had to stay alert to prevent Watkins squaring for Danny Ings at the back post and then Ings had a shot blocked by Silva after Matty Cash juggled the ball forward from halfway.

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from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/dec/26/aston-villa-chelsea-premier-league-match-report