Cole Palmer shone in a comfortable Chelsea win over an Aston Villa side whose worrying winless run extended to eight matches.
Nicolas Jackson gave Chelsea a seventh-minute lead, squeezing a first-time finish past Emi Martinez after Marc Cucurella forced Jadon Philogene into a mistake on the edge of his own box before crossing.
Enzo Fernandez then volleyed in the second in the 36th minute.
The Argentina midfielder finished with his right foot after an excellent touch with his left, following a good ball from Palmer, with Moises Caicedo having won the ball in midfield.
Palmer then curled in a sensational left-foot finish from the edge of the box in the 83rd minute to seal victory.
The England international, like Jackson, now has eight Chelsea goals for the season.
Chelsea were dominant, registering more than 64% possession, could have scored more – Jadon Sancho threatened, while Palmer squandered a chance from eight yards out following an indirect free-kick after a mistake by Villa pair Martinez and Pau Torres.
For Villa, Ollie Watkins had a frustrating day, missing a good chance in the 15th minute and one just before half-time after a mistake from Fernandez.
It was a day to forget all round for the visitors, with Villa goalkeeper Martinez forced off at half-time with an injury.
In a second half where Chelsea continued to dominate, their only setback was an injury to Wesley Fofana. John McGinn and substitute Ross Barkley had half-chances, but the visitors could not find a way back.
Chelsea have risen up to joint-second in the Premier League table on 25 points while Villa drop to 12th on 19 points.
Unai Emery is currently enduring the longest winless run of his tenure at Villa, having not won in eight matches, since the 2-0 Champions League win over Bologna in October.
Source | BBC Sports
