João Pedro hits a hat-trick as Chelsea down Villa to go fifth

Chelsea claimed a remarkable 4-1 comeback victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League on Wednesday, greatly boosting their Champions League qualification hopes.

The hosts got off to a fast start and got the lead inside the opening three minutes after Leon Bailey skipped past Jorrel Hato to cut back for Douglas Luiz to tuck home the opener.

Moments later, the Blues almost responded straight away after Alejandro Garnacho played in an inviting cross to the far post for João Pedro to meet, but his header was kept out by Emiliano Martinez.

Chelsea continued to search for an equaliser and almost got it after Cole Palmer met Garnacho’s pass first time, but his long-range effort was parried away by Martinez.

At the other end, Ollie Watkins was released on the break, and the Englishman tried his luck from a tight angle, but Filip Jorgensen was equal to the task.

In the 36th, João Pedro restored parity for the visitors after Malo Gusto was found brilliantly by Fernandez, who then squared it across to the Brazilian to tap home the equaliser.

Moments later, Watkins thought he had given the Villans the lead after Morgan Rogers latched onto a loose pass from Reece James to find him on the break, who finished past Jorgensen. After VAR review, the goal was chalked off for offside.

In the fifth minute of first-half additional time, João Pedro gave the Blues the lead after Garnacho and Fernandez teed up to find the Brazilian in the area, and the striker finished past Martinez with a lovely chip.

In the 56th minute, Palmer got the visitors’ third after James’ cross was parried into the path of the Englishman, who lashed in a belter from the edge of the area.

Nine minutes later, João Pedro completed his hat-trick after Palmer found Garnacho on the break, who squared it across to the Brazilian to tap home his third of the night.

In the closing stages of the game, Garnacho could’ve increased the margin as he was found by Marc Cucurella on the break, but the Argentine’s effort was saved by Martinez.

Chelsea have now moved to fifth in the Premier League standings, while Villa remain fourth in the race for Champions League qualification.