In 59 minutes, Aston Villa was continuously pressed by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and had to play in a chasing position after conceding a goal. Faced with increasing pressure, coach Unai Emery was forced to make a decision. Three substitutions in the 59th minute became a turning point, directly reversing the game and reshaping the outcome of the match.
Ollie Watkins is Aston Villa's hero, with a double in an impressive comeback. However, that victory did not only belong to Watkins. Jadon Sancho and Amadou Onana - both brought on by Emery - also made an important contribution when helping Villa increase the pace, increase attacking power and push Chelsea into a passive defense.
Tactical genius" - that is Watkins' description of Emery after the match. That comment is well-founded, because at a time when Villa seemed to be drifting towards a defeat, the intervention of the Spanish captain changed the operating axis of the match.
Villa not only reversed the odds, they also equaled the club's record with 11 consecutive wins in all competitions. They could even have scored more goals if they had not been rejected by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with a few excellent saves.
This result also has long-term significance. Villa is only 3 points behind Arsenal and will have a chance to equalize points when playing away at Emirates in the middle of next week. In that context, the comeback against Chelsea further strengthens the image of a team that is not panicked when being led.
Aston Villa is the team that has won the most points in the Premier League this season in losing matches. Emery admitted that he "knows the second half will be different", emphasizing the belief and endurance of the team.
If viewed from Chelsea's side, the story is a repetition of a structural problem. They have dropped 11 points at Stamford Bridge in Premier League matches this season when leading.
What is more noteworthy is the contrast between the two benches. Emery's substitution trio in the 59th minute created a near-immediate impact. Meanwhile, Chelsea responded 10 minutes later with Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Malo Gusto, but did not create a significant impact.
In a short period of 21 minutes, The Blues' group of players who entered the field only had one shot. Notably, Delap did not touch the ball in the penalty area, except for a yellow card after only 70 seconds.
The fact that Cole Palmer was withdrawn from the field immediately afterwards - in a dissatisfied state - partly reflects the feeling that the match had fallen out of the hands of the home team quickly. Enzo Maresca (recorded from afar due to suspension) admitted that Chelsea had difficulty controlling the match after conceding a goal.
In general, this is a tactical defeat for Chelsea. Emery won because he could change the pace and structure of the match with reserve personnel, while Maresca could not do the same.
As a result, Villa continues to break through in the leading group, while Chelsea is increasingly being pulled down to a lower target. The close distance with the chasing group accurately reflects their level of instability in the key stage.
Chelsea needs to look back at how they let a match that was once under control slip away, when the opponent's personnel adjustments have turned the situation in a decisive direction. Conversely, their own substitutions have not created a corresponding impact.
