VAR denies Chelsea late winner against Villa

On a dramatic Saturday evening at Villa Park, Chelsea showcased their resilience in a pulsating 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, keeping their grip on the crucial fourth spot for Champions League qualification. Despite the assistance from VAR preventing a defeat, the ultimate comeback Chelsea hoped for did not materialize.

Rocky start

Chelsea's evening began with an unfortunate incident as defender Marc Cucurella turned a wayward shot from Aston Villa's John McGinn into his own net. The Londoners appeared to have found an immediate response through Nicolas Jackson, but his spectacular goal was disallowed for a marginal offside, adding to Chelsea's recent string of frustrations. The game's tone seemed set when Morgan Rogers cleverly feinted to shoot into the far corner but instead slipped the ball through Trevoh Chalobah's legs into the near post. Rogers' celebration echoed that of Chelsea's Cole Palmer, underscoring the competitive spirit of the match.

Chelsea's comeback

Despite the setbacks, Chelsea's resilience shone through. A mistake by Aston Villa's Pau Torres allowed Noni Madueke to pull one back with a precise shot into the far corner, reigniting hope among the Blues' ranks. The momentum of the game shifted dramatically, and with ten minutes left in regulation, Conor Gallagher smashed home an equalizer with a brilliant strike. As the match neared its conclusion, Chelsea pushed for a winner. Substitute Axel Disasi thought he had scored the decisive goal from a corner, his header crashing down from the underside of the bar into the goal. However, to the dismay of manager Mauricio Pochettino and the Chelsea fans, VAR intervened, spotting a foul by Benoît Badiashile in the buildup and disallowing the goal.

Mixed feelings

The match ended 2-2, leaving Chelsea supporters with mixed feelings. On one hand, their team displayed commendable fightback capabilities, but on the other, the elusive victory slipped through their fingers due to VAR's crucial intervention. This result keeps Chelsea in the hunt for a Champions League spot, but they remain at the mercy of their own inconsistent performances and crucial refereeing decisions. As the season progresses, the pressure will only intensify for Pochettino's side.