Mason Mount scored his first two club goals of the year as Chelsea defeated Aston Villa despite being under attack in the first half to maintain Graham Potter’s perfect record as manager.
After six minutes, a header from Tyrone Mings dropped to the England international, who finished it with ease.
And in front of England manager Gareth Southgate, Mount added a second goal with a 25-yard free kick. However, once again, Mount had assistance as Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was caught off guard.
Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea, who had been unbeaten in four games, was in magnificent form as he stopped Danny Ings, John McGinn, and Jacob Ramsey in the first half.
Following a knee injury to defender Reece James, who is expected to miss the World Cup, Potter, who is now six games unbeaten since taking over as Chelsea manager last month, gambled by playing forward Raheem Sterling at right wing-back.
James will wear a knee brace for four weeks, according to Potter.
However, after watching Villa control the first half without scoring, Potter switched Sterling to the front and enjoyed a more comfortable second half, keeping Chelsea in fourth position with a game remaining and four points behind third-place Tottenham.
Sterling had previously been used as a wing-back by Potter, who started the England international on the left in the club’s draw against RB Salzburg in his debut match after coming last month.
However, against Villa, it backfired as the visitors ripped open the wings, and Sterling exposed the right side of the defense as the hosts attacked from all angles.
Chelsea were left chasing the ball after Mings gave Mount the opportunity to score. With McGinn double up on Villa’s left flank, Ings, Ollie Watkins, and Leon Bailey were able to trouble Marc Cucurella from all angles of the assault.
Arrizabalaga, who made six saves in the first half, including a spectacular one to stop Ings’ header from a point-blank range, was gratefully acknowledged by the defense.