Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has said post-game that he told his Villa players to ‘make it personal’ with Chelsea’s defenders in yesterday’s game.
The Blues came away from Villa Park with all three points, however were certainly made to work hard for the victory.
They relied on Kepa Arrizabalaga pulling out one of his best performances in a Chelsea shirt, as he made seven saves including one of the best of the season to deny Danny Ings.
Defensively, Chelsea got a real examination, and the clean sheet they got is perhaps not a fair reflection of the game.
Marc Cucurella in particular struggled yesterday. Playing in a back three, the Spaniard was taken off at half-time in an attempt for Graham Potter to sure things up at the back.
Gerrard wanted to get at Chelsea
This poor display may have been a result of Gerrard’s instructions to his forwards, who he told to take the game to a Chelsea back three who had not featured together before.
He said: “The front three were a big threat throughout, we asked them to really take the game and make it personal with Chelsea’s back three.
“Asking John and JJ to get in the box more and release themselves more to get more bodies forward.
“As I say, for the first 60 minutes, outside of Tyrone’s mistake, it’s probably the strongest 60 minutes the players have given.”
Thiago Silva produced another timeless display in the middle of the back three, and Graham Potter will be sweating on his fitness ahead of this Wednesday’s local derby with Brentford.
The former Brighton manager will be hoping to make it six wins in a row under his tenure, and the victory over Villa showed that his side can certainly win ugly when required.
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