Joao Pedro’s hat-trick breathed fresh life into Chelsea’s Champions League charge with a statement win at rivals Aston Villa.
The striker took his tally to 17 for the season, with Cole Palmer also netting, as the visitors came from behind at Villa Park.
Douglas Luiz’s first goal in more than two years gave Villa the lead, but following the turnaround, they are now just three points above Chelsea in the Premier League – missing the chance to move nine points clear.
The Blues moved up to fifth, a place behind Villa, in the race for the Champions League just a day after head coach Liam Rosenior warned they were running out of time to cut the gap.
It was Villa’s heaviest home defeat in two years and, having gone 12 months unbeaten in the Premier League at Villa Park until August, they have now lost three of their past five top-flight home games.
It was the perfect start for the hosts, though, when Leon Bailey produced a low cross for Douglas Luiz to flick in from close range after two minutes.
As Chelsea responded, Emi Martinez saved from Joao Pedro and Palmer while Reece James had a penalty claim rejected after going down under Ian Maatsen’s challenge.
Those chances emboldened the visitors and Joao Pedro deservedly levelled when he tapped in Malo Gusto’s pass.
The visitors were on top but almost gifted Villa the lead when James’ loose pass allowed Villa to break and Ollie Watkins beat Filip Jorgensen – only for the video assistant referee to narrowly rule him offside.
More VAR frustration was to come for Villa in first-half injury time when Enzo Fernandez’s cute pass found Joao Pedro to lift the ball over Martinez, with the striker judged to be just onside.
Palmer then struck 10 minutes after the break and Joao Pedro completed his treble from Alejandro Garnacho’s pass.
