(Football news) At Stamford Bridge, the Lions defeated Chelsea 1-0 in their most recent Premier League match, while the Toffees defeated Brentford 3-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium to earn their first victory in the top flight of the year.
The Lions were fortunate to skip the first two rounds of the EFL Cup thanks to Aston Villa’s qualification for the Europa Conference League, but Legia Warsaw dealt them a hard time when they faced up against them in Thursday’s opening match, winning 3-2.
A rested Chelsea team attempted to prolong Villa’s suffering on Sunday and hand Unai Emery’s team their third straight road loss (they had also been defeated 3-0 on the pitch of Liverpool) but the expensively put together Blues were no match for the roar of the Lions at the weekend.
Ollie Watkins was yet to open his account in the 2023–24 Premier League before his team’s trip to Stamford Bridge, but his first goal of the year was well worth the wait. The Englishman had one shot stopped before receiving another chance, and he finished beautifully from a close angle.
Chelsea’s afternoon may have been much more discouraging if Robert Sanchez had not made a few important saves. Villa secured their fourth victory in six Premier League games to claim a sixth-place finish in the preliminary standings.
The hosts, who have not lost in front of their own supporters since being defeated 4-2 by Arsenal in February, are also riding a wave of an extraordinary 10-game winning streak at Villa Park. They are looking to avoid making it out of the EFL Cup third round for a third time in a row after losing to Manchester United and Chelsea in their previous two matches.
A player who represented Brentford in red and white for two seasons, from 2014 to 2016, would be the one to sting the Bees this past weekend, as James Tarkowski celebrated his return to the English capital with a goal and an assist that helped Everton earn their first victory of the year.
Tarkowski headed the ball down for Abdoulaye Doucoure to score early, taking advantage of Brentford’s ever-growing injury problems (Kevin Schade had a groyne injury during warm-ups). However, Mathias Jensen managed to tie the score for the Bees before halftime.
With the Toffees now out of danger and in 15th position, Tarkowski then spun away in joy against his former employers after rising highest to nod home from a corner. Dominic Calvert-Lewin then added the final goal to the Toffees’ fantastic victory.
Everton’s lone triumph in 2023–24 was a tense 2-1 EFL Cup third-round victory over Doncaster Rovers, which they took away from the Gtech with all three points in hand. However, Sean Dyche’s team has yet to record a clean sheet this year and faces a difficult trip to the fortress at Villa Park.
Also read: Burnley set to face Salford City in 3rd round
