Chelsea secured a comfortable looking 3-0 win over Aston Villa, though the score line doesn’t begin to tell the full story. Romelu Lukaku, making his second home debut, netted a brace and Mateo Kovačić also ended his Stamford Bridge drought, while Edouard Mendy was at his best at the other end to keep yet another cleansheet. These were Lukaku’s first goals at Stamford Bridge in his 15th appearance, either as a Chelsea player or as a visitor.
Team news
Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel made six changes from the 1-1 draw at Liverpool before the international break. Most notable one was the debut of deadline day signing Saúl Ñíguez. Callum Hudson-Odoi replaced the suspended Reece James, while Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Mateo Kovačić, Hakim Ziyech also got game-time.
Starting XI: E. Mendy; T. Chalobah, T. Silva, A. Rüdiger; C. Hudson-Odoi, M. Kovačić, Saúl, M. Alonso (C); K. Havertz, R. Lukaku, H. Ziyech
Subs: K. Arrizabalaga, A. Christensen, Jorginho, T. Werner, R. Loftus-Cheek, R. Barkley, M. Mount, B. Chilwell, C. Azpilicueta
Aston Villa
Dean Smith also made six changes from their last match. Argentinian pair Emiliano Martínez and Emiliano Buendía were banned. There was a change in formation with two forwards. Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins paired together for the first time.
Starting XI: J. Steer; M. Cash, E. Konsa, A. Tuanzebe, T. Mings (C), M. Targett; J. McGinn, D. Luiz, J. Ramsey; D. Ings, O. Watkins
Subs: V. Sinisalo, M. Sanson, B. Traoré, A. Young, M. Nakamba, A. El-Ghazi, K. Hause, L. Bailey, C. Archer
Chelsea not at their best but get the job done
The hosts started the game strongly and did all the early running. The closest they came to scoring was when Hudson-Odoi’s corner almost found its way in. Ezri Konsa somehow touched it onto the crossbar. But the Blues took the lead on 15 minutes with the moment every fan had been waiting for. After a trademark Kovačić run, he released Lukaku with a superb ball. The Belgian then cut inside onto his right foot and slotted home to establish the lead. 10 years on from his first home debut, Lukaku finally scored at Stamford Bridge.
For the remaining half hour, Aston Villa took charge of the game. Debutant Saúl was having a tough time adapting to life, and he almost gifted the equalizer to Watkins, only for a last ditch block by Silva. Before that, Edouard Mendy had expertly denied the forward at the near post. There was more to come for the keeper as from a long throw, he was forced into a double save to deny Tyrone Mings and Konsa.
Second half
Saúl had endured a torrid first half and was replaced by Jorginho at the break. Villa would have been encouraged by their first half showing but gifted Chelsea a second just four minutes after the restart. Mings sold Steer short and Kovačić pounced to score his first ever Stamford Bridge goal. That was a body blow to Dean Smith’s side as Chelsea, though not at their best, started taking control.
Kai Havertz and Marcos Alonso went close for them, before Konsa tested Mendy again. There were efforts from Watkins and Ings too but Mendy was not to be denied. In stoppage time, substitute Cesar Azpilicueta displayed some neat foot-work and then found Lukaku on the edge of the box. The Belgian took a touch and blasted it into the top corner to seal an uncomfortable yet emphatic win.
This was the Blues’ 600th win in the competition. They are the second club to get to that milestone after Manchester United of course.
What does it mean for the league table?
Chelsea moved level on points with table-topping Manchester United, who themselves were celebrating the return of legend Cristiano Ronaldo. The Blues are only behind on goals scored. Aston Villa are 12th, with four points from four. Slightly faltering when you compare this to last season, when they won their first four.
Up next
Chelsea begin the defense of their Champions League crown on Tuesday, at home to Zenit St. Petersburg. Aston Villa host Everton on Saturday in the Premier League.