Aston Villa vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight

Follow all the fallout from Villa Park

Match Preview: Aston Villa vs Chelsea on 26/12/2021

Follow all the action as Aston Villa host Chelsea in the Premier League this Boxing Day.

Steven Gerrard will be forced to watch from afar after Aston Villa’s head coach tested positive for Covid-19. Villa will hope his absence doesn’t detract from their momentum, having won four of their six games since Gerrard took charge, with their only two defeats coming against Manchester City and Liverpool. That upturn in form has seen Villa return to the top half of the table and they will hope to take advantage of Chelsea’s recent inconsistency this afternoon.

After such a brilliant start to the season, Thomas Tuchel’s side have faltered in recent weeks due to a combination of attacking absences and wasteful finishing. Back-to-back draws against Everton and Wolves have left the Blues six points adrift of Manchester City in the title race, although a 2-0 victory over Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals helped to regain some of their momentum. Follow all the latest updates below:

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

• 28 mins: Villa open scoring as Targett cross skims off James’ head for own goal
• 34 mins: Jorginho equalises from penalty spot after Cash fouls Hudson-Odoi
• 56 mins: Substitute Lukaku puts Chelsea in front with headed goal
• 90+3 mins: Jorginho scores his second penalty of the day to wrap up Chelsea victory

[26 December 2021 19:19 · Michael Jones]

Penalty to Chelsea!

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea

90+2 mins: Late drama! Romelu Lukaku is sent free on the counter-attack. He takes the ball around Matt Targett and drives into the box. Ezri Konsa scrambles back and slides at the Chelsea striker. He takes the legs out from under Lukaku and it’s another clear penalty for the Blues!

[26 December 2021 19:18 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea

90 mins: Save! Callum Hudson-Odoi drifts into space on the left side of the Villa box as the ball comes over to him. He guides it towards the bottom corner but Martinez dives across clings on to the ball!

At the other end Bertrant Traore then runs along the front edge of the penalty area and lets fly with a right-footed effort but his shot gets blocked in the box.

Four minutes of added time to play. Plenty of time for some late drama.

[26 December 2021 19:15 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea

87 mins: Mount swings a corner into the Villa box but Mings confidently heads the ball clear and finds Traore with his clearance. Traore turns towards goal and threatens to counter. He’s on his own though and decides to hold up the ball instead and wait for reinforcements.

[26 December 2021 19:12 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea

84 mins: The game has turned again as Chelsea have wrestled back control of the ball. They’re forcing Villa deep into their own half but are taking time to build up their attack. The cross comes into the box from Alonso and is directed towards Pulisic arriving at the back post from the right. Targett manages to get infront of though and heads the ball away.

[26 December 2021 19:07 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea

81 mins: Jacob Ramsey brings the ball down the left wing and leaves it for Targett. He threads a nicely weighted pass into the box for El Ghazi who rolls away from James and hits a low effort straight at Mendy who keeps it out without too much trouble.

[26 December 2021 19:06 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea

78 mins: Aston Villa make their last change as Anwar El Ghazi replaces Morgan Sanson.

Chukwuemeka attempts to squeeze in behind Christensen on the right wing but he runs into a narrow gap and the Chelsea defender forces him out of play.

[26 December 2021 19:02 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea

75 mins: Immediate impact from Traore who calls a the ball from an Aston Villa free kick. He gets it and plays Cash into the byline on the right side. Cash cuts the ball back into the box but can’t pick out a teammate and Christensen clears the danger for Chelsea.

[26 December 2021 19:01 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea

72 mins: Aston Villa are digging in well. They’re enjoying a decent period of possession but aren’t threatening the goal. Danny Ings is replaced with the returning Bertrand Traore and Emi Buendia is replaced with Carney Chukwuemeka.

[26 December 2021 18:58 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea

68 mins: Cash and Alonso tussle as the Aston Villa full-back works his way down the right wing. He weaves around Alonso and looks to drive towards the box but the Chelsea man pulls him to the floor and collects a yellow card.

Douglas Luiz’s cross into the box is headed away by Chelsea and Morgan Sanson isn’t able to keep the attack going.

[26 December 2021 18:55 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea

65 mins: Reece James takes the free kick and hits his effort at goal high and wide.

Chance! Huge chance for Mason Mount to give put Chelsea further in front. A simple pass comes over the top and Mount is played in behind on the right side. Martinez comes out to beat him to the loose ball but Mount gets there first. He rolls it around the goalkeeper but fires his shot at the open goal wide of the near post!