Despite trailing 2-0 at halftime, Mauricio Pochettino’s side appeared poised to salvage a point as Disasi’s header crashed into the net in the dying moments, seemingly completing a stunning turnaround. However, Benoit Badiashile’s foul on Diego Carlos in the build-up led to VAR disallowing the goal, denying Chelsea the victory.
The match began ominously for Chelsea, still reeling from their recent 5-0 defeat to Arsenal, as Marc Cucurella’s own goal and a strike from Morgan Rogers saw Villa take a commanding lead at halftime. However, Chelsea rallied after the break, with Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher leveling the score before the dramatic VAR decision.
Villa, despite holding a 2-0 advantage, were fortunate to escape with a point. While they aimed to secure their first qualification for Europe’s elite club competition, they struggled to maintain their lead and looked fatigued throughout the match. Despite the draw, Villa remains in contention for a top-four finish, though Tottenham Hotspur, with three games in hand, pose a threat.
Pochettino will be encouraged by his team’s resilience, as they continue to vie for a European berth amid an inconsistent season.
The match witnessed Chelsea’s vulnerability early on, conceding within four minutes as Villa capitalized on defensive lapses. Although Chelsea displayed offensive prowess, with Jackson notably denied by VAR, they failed to capitalize on key opportunities, including Jackson’s miss shortly before halftime.
However, Chelsea mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, with Gallagher and Madueke finding the net to restore parity. Despite Villa’s sporadic counterattacks, Chelsea dominated possession and threatened to snatch victory until Disasi’s disallowed goal.
The match concluded in high drama as Chelsea nearly secured a dramatic win, only to be denied by VAR’s intervention, leaving both teams to settle for a hard-fought draw.
