Chelsea captain Reece James delivered a blunt verdict on his team's dramatic 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, insisting the players have no one to blame but themselves for squandering a commanding position at Stamford Bridge.
Dominance undone by costly errors
The Blues appeared in complete control for the majority of the Premier League clash on Saturday, taking a first-half lead through Joao Pedro. For over an hour, Unai Emery's Villa failed to register a single shot on target.
However, the game transformed with the introduction of England striker Ollie Watkins. Four minutes after coming off the bench, Watkins scored his fourth goal of a difficult season, altering the momentum of the match entirely. He then added a second from a corner to complete a stunning turnaround.
"We dominated 60, 65 minutes of the game," a frustrated James stated afterwards. "We came out sharp... In the first 60 minutes they didn't create any chances, and then they get one and the dynamic changes."
James points to self-inflicted wounds
The defender dismissed the idea that Villa's tactical changes were too much to handle, instead highlighting individual mistakes. He admitted that two slight errors were ruthlessly punished, a hallmark of the Premier League's relentless quality.
"We knew they'd make substitutions and the shape changed slightly but it was nothing we shouldn't have been able to deal with," James explained. "We have ourselves to blame. Second half, one or two moments changed the game... It's always disappointing to lose at home."
The result allowed Aston Villa to equal their all-time club record of 11 consecutive victories, a remarkable feat achieved after looking second-best for so long at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca demands clinical edge and better game management
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca echoed his captain's sentiments, expressing disappointment that his team did not kill the game when they were on top. The Italian believes his side should have been out of sight before Villa's comeback began.
"I think by the time we conceded the first goal, we should have scored two or three goals," Maresca said in his post-match press conference. "And then after the goal we conceded, the game completely changed."
Maresca identified a key area for improvement, stating his squad must learn to manage games more effectively after conceding. He pointed to a need for greater experience to navigate such volatile periods in matches.
The defeat leaves Chelsea reflecting on a costly collapse, with the inquest led firmly by their own captain. The message from the dressing room is clear: this was a defeat born from self-sabotage, not superior opposition.
