Premier League: Reaction after Aston Villa stun Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

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Live Reporting

Neil Johnston

All times stated are UK

1. Posted at 19:19 1 Apr 202319:19 1 Apr 2023

   Back for two more games on Sunday

   Seven games. Twenty-six goals. Loads of drama. What a day.

   It's time to go but don't forget you can read all of today's match reports here.

   And don't forget you can watch all the goals on Match of the Day on BBC One at 22:20 BST.

   We're back on Sunday with two more Premier League games - West Ham-Southampton and Newcastle-Manchester United.

   Until then...

2. Posted at 19:15 1 Apr 202319:15 1 Apr 2023

   'Terrific Grealish'

   FT: Man City 4-1 Liverpool

   Micah Richards

   Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

   Jack Grealish absolutely terrific.

   I'm a little bit hard on him, because I know what he can deliver. But particularly since the World Cup he is showing what he is capable of delivering.

   I don't think his performance was as bad as people said last season, but now he is adding the goals and assists into his game. He has that self-confidence and the confidence of his team-mates, and has that all important consistency in his game."

3. Posted at 19:13 1 Apr 202319:13 1 Apr 2023

   'One heck of a display'

   FT: Bournemouth 2-1 Fulham

   Bournemouth

   Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil, speaking to BBC MOTD:

   "We had a tough start and you go 1-0 down at home in a big game it's a real test of character and belief. The lads showed everything you need to give yourself a chance in a relegation scrap.

   "We made a couple of changes at half-time and went on to win the game, deservedly so.

   "We were getting a few bits wrong, I'm not sure why, it wasn't looking like how it was supposed to.

   "We injected some energy with some fresh faces and one of those fresh faces smashed the ball into the top corner from 20 yards out. That helps.

   "It's a game that you need to win. They produced one heck of a display from that moment.

   "Marcus Tavernier is a huge player for us. Let's keep him with us for the rest of the season and he'll play a part.

   "The second goal is something we worked on a lot. I can't believe it took us so long to score our first one.

   "The table matters, I'm just fully focused on Tuesday. We've done our bit. That's the best it could have looked today because we took the three points. What other teams do is out of our control."

4. Posted at 19:10 1 Apr 202319:10 1 Apr 2023

   'A fair point - but we can defend much better'

   FT: Brighton 3-3 Brentford

   Brentford

   Brentford manager Thomas Frank, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It's a good point but the thing is we were in front three times in the game and with that in mind, even though in periods Brighton dominated, we never looked like losing.

   "Of course, if they had equalised earlier, then you never know. But after the equaliser, I think it was even both ways and we had a fantastic chance, a few set pieces. Maybe we could've nicked it.

   "Overall, I think it was a fair point and a good point for us. Brighton did well. I don't think that we played to our normal standard. I know we can be much better than this, we normally defend much better in general, but especially with the first two goals.

   "I know we can do much better and we have to do much better.

   "I told the boys that I love the effort, I love the body on the line. They gave everything and I love the determination but we have more in us."

   On David Raya: "David is a fantastic keeper, I've said this many times and he performed fantastically for us today. He's been good the whole season but this shows that defensively today we were not there. We really, really needed him with a lot of good saves.

   "If this is the first time we've needed that this season, that's not bad. He's been good but today we really needed him with some crucial saves."

   On Pontus Jansson: "It was good to have Pontus back. Brilliant goal, brilliant header."

   On both clubs: "I think both teams showed what they are good at. We can defend better but we are very dangerous when we go forward, in open play, in set pieces and on the counter - and we showed that today.

   "We saw two teams, two clubs that have done fantastically over the years. You see a Brighton team that is slightly ahead of us on the journey. Hopefully we can close the gap."

5. Posted at 19:08 1 Apr 202319:08 1 Apr 2023

   'Sore and painful'

   FT: Crystal Palace 2-1 Leicester

   Leicester City

   Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers, speaking to Match of the Day: "Football can be harsh. We didn't think we deserved that [to lose] at all. First half we had to defend well, we didn't keep the ball well at all. Defensively we were strong and the back four and goalkeeper were excellent.

   "We started the second half really well. Ricardo [Pereira] scored a brilliant goal and we were deserving of that.

   "In order to have the ball it's a mentality, we were able to do that and it went well for us. We're disappointed with the free-kick, it ends up being the goal they scored from.

   "We had good rhythm in the first 15 minutes of the second half but then failed to play and get that rhythm back again. It looked like it was going to be a point and you'll take the point so to concede the goal is disappointing.

   "I just feel really disappointed for them because they didn't deserve to lose the game. That's football, you've got to concentrate right the way through the game, you've got to be strong and resolute. If you can't win the game then don't lose it. That last thirty seconds we've just got to do the basics well. If you do that then you get the result."

   On the relegation battle: "It is so tight. Now we've got to use the pain of today and look to our next game. It's a sore one, it's a painful one, especially when you don't feel you deserved that at all. Now we've got to get our mentality right, two very important home games now."

6. Posted at 19:07 1 Apr 202319:07 1 Apr 2023

   Post update

   We're going to wrap this up in a few minutes. Before we do, some reaction from the earlier games.

7. Posted at 19:06 1 Apr 202319:06 1 Apr 2023

   'Every day he is smiling'

   FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

   Aston Villa

   Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, speaking to Sky Sports:

   "It's not easy to come here. We prepared for the match thinking we might struggle, which we did at times in the first half.

   We started very well the first 20 minutes, and then after our goal the defence and the goalkeeper were very important.

   "At half time we discussed that sometimes you have to struggle before you can score, to be mentally clever to know that sometimes that is the way you win. We spoke about how we could better and manage their attacks, which I think we managed to do well in the second half."

   On John McGinn's performance: "On the pitch and in the dressing room he is a very important player. Every day he is smiling, he works hard, he is competitive. His commitment is amazing. He understands everything we ask of him tactically, and he deserves the performances he is producing."

   On Aston Villa's ambitions for the rest of the season: "It will be very, very difficult to challenge for Europe. Our objective is to be in the top 10, which we currently are. But from Tuesday onwards, we need to make sure we stay there."

8. Posted at 19:02 1 Apr 202319:02 1 Apr 2023

   'Europe is difficult'

   FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

   Aston Villa

   ReutersCopyright: Reuters

   Aston Villa manager Unai Emery:

   "We are happy but I think in the balance as well with this three points we are thinking we are now in the top 10.

   "But we play on Tuesday as well so we cannot stop, we have to keep going and be competitive like today.

   "We won and we were speaking how we have to be competitive and clever in the mind, we need to be offensively good and defensively good and brilliant like we were today.

   "We are in the top 10, now we have to keep it. We have to play on Tuesday but first we rest and analyse this game. Then we have to be competitive against Leicester and not stop in our ambition.

   "It was amazing today defensively, the commitment from every player was amazing.

   "We have to understand sometimes to play good we have to be brilliant defensively. I think we are improving, we are as well being consistent and competitive away.

   "Everybody is in good commitment to work.

   "Confidence is the consequence of practicing and practicing with yourself. The only way I know is to practice, be demanding and think 100% football.

   "[To qualify for Europe is] very difficult. But if we keep winning points then maybe we can keep adding a new objective. Hopefully yes."

9. Posted at 18:59 1 Apr 202318:59 1 Apr 2023

   'We deserved to win'

   FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

   Aston Villa

   Aston Villa goalscorer Ollie Watkins, speaking to BBC MOTD:

   "I think we're compact and solid and definitely hard to break down."

   On becoming the first Aston villa player to score in five consecutive Premier League away games: "I didn't actually know that until Emi Buendia told me before the game. I had no idea what he was on about.

   "Obviously I'm delighted, I'm happy that I'm scoring and it's helping the team to win. All round a good day.

   "Each game I'm thinking about how I can help the team by scoring goals and creating chances for my team-mates. Every game I'm trying to be the best I can be.

   "I think you saw we stole the ball a few times on the transition. We probably should have buried the game in the first half I think.

   "I think we deserve that win so credit for the boys.

   "On Tuesday we've got Leicester, a good team who are not playing well at the moment. But this is the Premier League, everyone can beat everyone."

10. Posted at 18:56 1 Apr 202318:56 1 Apr 2023

    And the football keeps coming...

    Elche v Barcelona (20:00 BST)

    Spanish La Liga

    It's bottom v top in La Liga tonight as Barcelona, 12 points clear, visit Elche, 14 points from safety.

    Including caretakers, Elche have a sixth different manager of the season today.

    Follow live text commentary of that one here.

11. Posted at 18:54 1 Apr 202318:54 1 Apr 2023

    'I take responsibility'

    FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Graham Potter, speaking to BBC MOTD: "The most important number is the one that goes against us. We have to do better.

    "In terms of the game, you can see the players gave everything, they took on the responsibility, they tried, they had lots of entries into the box and shots and attacks.

    "Ultimately we conceded a poor first goal which makes everything very emotional and rightly so. We're disappointed because we're 1-0 down but the players responded well they kept on responding throughout. The second goal is disappointing because we started the second half well.

    "But if you look at the stats apart from the main one there is a lot of positives there. But at the moment into doesn't feel too positive.

    "After a defeat there is always a disappointment. There is always a feeling we have not moved forward, that's fair to say. We have to analyse the performance and look at the things we've done well and what we can do better. Defensively we've left ourselves too open but again if you look at the stats of the game we had chances ourselves, we had one-v-ones, but the most important thing, putting the ball into the net, we were second-best.

    "I don't like to blame anybody, I have to take responsibility. We are a team, we have to stay together, we are together. We win or lose together.

    "We will recover and we will prepare for the next game. We need to respond, that's clear. But we look forward to it."

12. Posted at 18:52 1 Apr 202318:52 1 Apr 2023

    Emery on Europe

    FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

    Aston Villa

    Unai Emery has been asked by both Sky Sports and MOTD whether Aston Villa can qualify for Europe.

    He says it will be "very difficult" but does not rule it out.

    Full quotes to come.

13. Posted at 18:50 1 Apr 202318:50 1 Apr 2023

    'Defeat wasn't for a lack of effort from players'

    FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Graham Potter, speaking to Sky Sports:

    "In both boxes we were second best. The first goal for them is disappointing from our perspective.

    There were a lot of good things in the game, a lot of attacking entries and shots. If you look at the stats of the game it was a positive performance, but in terms of the scoreline it's not. We're all really disappointed."

    On feeling like it's one step forwards and one step back: "Of course. We want to win our home games. There was a positivity about us. The boys gave everything they could. It wasn't for a lack of effort, but at the same time we need to manage the small moments better. So the scoreline tells the story."

14. Posted at 18:48 1 Apr 202318:48 1 Apr 2023

    27 attempts; 0 goals

    FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

    Chelsea

    PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

    Chelsea had 27 shots without scoring against Aston Villa, their most attempts in a Premier League match without finding the net since January 2014 against West Ham (39 shots, 0 goals).

15. Posted at 18:46 1 Apr 202318:46 1 Apr 2023

    comments

    Steve Conroy: "Enough rubbish about Chelsea not playing well. This is a team in major transition. Constant talk of big players leaving, numerous injuries and players finding their feet. An unsettled side waiting for next season. Still don't think Potter is the man for the job.

16. Posted at 18:44 1 Apr 202318:44 1 Apr 2023

    'I did that a few times in training'

    FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

    Aston Villa

    ReutersCopyright: Reuters

    Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, speaking to Sky Sports:

    "We kept seeing it [the chance to break] on the transition. And a mistake between the two centre-backs and Douglas Luiz found me. I saw Kepa off his line... I did that a few times in training this week actually so it's lucky it came into practice.

    On aiming for Europe this season: "We have to take things game by game. We have another quick turnaround, and play Leicester on Tuesday. We need to go and win that. We just need to keep winning games and see where that puts us [in the table]."

17. Posted at 18:41 1 Apr 202318:41 1 Apr 2023

    'We cannot feel sorry for ourselves'

    FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

    Chelsea

    Graham Potter is facing the TV cameras.

    "We have to accept it [the result] and do better," he says. "We can't feel sorry for ourselves. We have a fantastic game on Tuesday [home to Liverpool] to put it right."

    Full quotes coming up.

18. Posted at 18:40 1 Apr 202318:40 1 Apr 2023

    'Emery is building something here'

    FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

    Danny Gabbidon

    Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Let's give credit to Aston Villa, it's been an outstanding performance from them and it's never easy picking points up on the road in the Premier League.

    Unai Emery is building something here with these players. It's never easy coming to Stamford Bridge but the way they managed the game limited Chelsea's chances.

    In the end Chelsea ran out of ideas. The game is won in both boxes, if you don't take your chances then it doesn't matter who you come up against, you'll get turned over.

    So it's back to the drawing board for Graham Potter. It's a poor result and the fans have let him know that too.

19. Posted at 18:38 1 Apr 202318:38 1 Apr 2023

    'Hopefully it will start a run'

    FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

    Aston Villa

    EPACopyright: EPA

    Aston Villa goalscorer John McGinn, speaking to Sky Sports:

    [On how his side beat Chelsea] "Run. They are a good team, it's only a matter of time before it clicks for them. We do a load of work in training to get goals on the transitions. Ollie [Watkins] is on fire at the moment, so a great goal to get us going.

    "Everyone was flinging their bodies on the line. This league's difficult so to go on a run like we've done, and to stay so humble, to a man we were first class today.

    "It's been a long time coming I was just fortunate the shot didn't get blocked. Just an amazing feeling it went in. After the Scotland win it's been an amazing week.

    "I've lost count of the amount of times I've tried to lace it and it's been blocked. So I side-footed and it went in. I'm delighted and hopefully it will start a run.

    "The start of the season was for me was extremely difficult. The manager, Steven Gerrard, was first class with me, he had a lot of trust in me but I didn't really repay that. My performances were below par.

    "I spent some time on the bench and put my head down and worked hard. I got my chance to come back in and hopefully I can keep doing that and keep my form up."

20. Posted at 18:35 1 Apr 202318:35 1 Apr 2023

    Winning habit

    FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

    Aston Villa

    Since Unai Emery's first game in charge of Aston Villa on 6 November, only Arsenal (13) and Manchester City (10) have more Premier League wins than Villa (9).

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