5 Things Learned: Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea | Premier League

Graham Potter’s Chelsea side picked up crucial three points on the road against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa with a 2-0 victory.

The first half saw Chelsea get off to the best possible start after Tyrone Mings’ backward header found the feet of Mason Mount, who netted his first league goal of the season.

Following the goal, the Blues spent the rest of the half on the back foot. Kepa Arrizabalaga performed some real heroics to keep Chelsea in the game.

In the second half, the Blues started slowly. Midway through the half, Mason Mount’s stunning free-kick doubled Chelsea’s lead.

The rest of the game saw the Blues control possession as they saw out the game to earn vital three points.

Here is what Absolute Chelsea learned from Sunday's win.

1) Mason Mount’s good run of form continues 

It is fair to say that Mason Mount has endured a difficult start to the new season. Under Thomas Tuchel, Mount found it tough to assert his ability and catch the eyes of the Chelsea faithful. However, under Graham Potter, Mount is starting to find some form. The Englishman has started to be a real threat going forward and causing havoc for the opposition. In the showdown with Aston Villa, Mount looked lively when the Blues were on the front foot. After getting on the scoresheet, the Englishman looked sharp when called upon and managed to score a stunning free-kick to ease a few nerves. His versatility throughout the game should not go under the radar.

2) Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be instrumental going forward

After Reece James suffered an injury away at AC Milan, it has been reported that the Englishman will miss around two months of football. With Cesar Azpilicueta the real standout candidate to play in James’ absence, Ruben Loftus-Cheek may also be an option to fill in. Against Villa, Loftus-Cheek took his place in the starting eleven. Throughout the game, Ruben operated in the heart of the midfield. At times throughout the first half, Ruben slotted in at wingback to provide cover. Going forward, his presence could prove to be important for Potter’s side.

3) Kepa Arrizabalaga staking huge Chelsea claim after heroics

When Graham Potter was appointed at Chelsea, the new manager stated that there would be no guarantees with regard to who the number one will be. Kepa Arrizabalaga has deputised heavily since Potter’s arrival. The Spaniard has impressed, with the Blues looking a lot more solid at the back. However, the showdown against Aston Villa was arguably Kepa’s best performance under Potter. After the side went a goal up, Kepa proved to get Chelsea out of trouble with several key saves.

4) Graham Potter’s substitutions changed the game

In the fixture against Aston Villa, despite going a goal up early, the Blues were back peddling as Aston Villa showed real fight. At halftime, Potter opted to bring on Kalidou Koulibaly and Cesar Azpilicueta for Kai Havertz and Marc Cucurella. With both men playing poorly, Potter deserves praise for making those changes. In the second half, the pair's performances paid dividends as the Blues looked a lot calmer and composed at the back. Koulibaly showed his experience to dig Chelsea out of trouble along that left-hand side. As for Azpilicueta, like Kalidou, his experience and quality also proved to be a big difference.

5) Chelsea’s ability to see out the game should not go unnoticed, however much to improve at the back

In the game against Aston Villa, it can be argued that the performance wasn’t the side’s finest. At times throughout the game, Potter’s men were on the back foot, with Kepa having to provide some real magic to keep Chelsea in the game. With Villa getting a lot of joy through the middle and out wide, Potter decided to pack the midfield by dropping Mount back slightly deeper and bringing on Connor Gallagher. With Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Mount and Gallagher in midfield, it proved to be impactful, with Steven Gerrard’s men struggling to break through central areas.