Chelsea vs Aston Villa: Premier League - LIVE!

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Graham Potter explains Mason Mount decision as Chelsea lose to Aston Villa

Graham Potter has revealed why he didn't bring Mason Mount off the bench as Chelsea lost 2-0 at home to Aston Villa on Saturday night.

The 24-year-old returned after a month out from a pubic bone injury to make the bench but wasn't called upon as Ollie Watkins and John McGinn secured the victory at Stamford Bridge.

In the backdrop of his increasing exile are stagnant contract negotiations that have led to talk of a move away to Liverpool, Manchester United or Bayern Munich.

Speaking after the match, Potter explained why he didn't look to Mount to turn the match: "With Mason, I just felt we were there in the game.

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Chelsea left playing for Graham Potter's future as European hopes take a battering

Graham Potter was booed off the pitch at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea were wasteful display in defeat to Aston Villa.

The 47-year-old is under pressure again after his side dropped to 11th as Unai Emery's side pushed up to 9th, making the prospect of Chelsea qualifying for any European competition through a league finish increasingly remote.

Now, Chelsea seem to just be playing for their manager and to avoid their lowest league finish since 1996.

Most of the blame is currently falling on Potter's shoulders after he arrived at a club in transition in September.

You have to, however, feel some sympathy for his plight. He could do little to stop his players from missing a host of clear, simple chances against the Midlands side.

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Chelsea vs Aston Villa player ratings: Mudryk dreadful in front of goal as Loftus-Cheek stunts attack

Aston Villa beat Chelsea 2-0 in a mid-table table to pile the pressure on Graham Potter and see his side drop down to a dismal 11th place.

Ollie Watkins and John McGinn scored at Stamford Bridge in a match that makes European football next season even less likely for the Blues and raises the possibility that the club could register its lowest finish in the Premier League era.

The main highlight for a wasteful Chelsea was the return of N'Golo Kante for the first time since August 14, playing for Potter for the first time.

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Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa: Miserable Blues booed off at Stamford Bridge

Goals from prolific striker Ollie Watkins and captain John McGinn earned Aston Villa all three points in a pulsating 2-0 Premier League mid-table win at Chelsea on Saturday.

Watkins took his chance in the 18th minute after a mistake from retreating defender Marc Cucurella, who headed a long ball into his path and he calmly lobbed his shot over advancing Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Chelsea, who enjoyed some 69% possession and 26 shots but as so often this season proved toothless in front of goal, came out guns blazing in the second half only to concede a corner from a Villa break.

The ball came out to McGinn and he sent a searing shot from 20 metres past the diving Kepa and into the bottom corner in the 56th minute.

The result meant Villa, who have earned 29 points from 15 games since Unai Emery took over as coach last October, leapfrogged Chelsea into ninth place, while the London side dropped to 11th, putting pressure firmly back on coach Graham Potter.

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FT: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

Timid Chelsea booed at the Bridge.

So, so timid

88 mins: Pulisic just hits a ball over the bar from a tight angle. For all their posssesion, they have done so little with it.

Villa so comfortable

79 mins: This really is rather meek from Chelsea, who have hardly forced Martinez into much action all evening.

CHANCE FOR CHELSEA!

63 mins: The returning Kante drags a good chance wide.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

A bit surprising that Graham Potter didn't make a half-time substitute. He has so much talent on the bench and his side felt a bit vulnerable defensively