Aston Villa, starring Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano `Dibu` Martínez, secured a remarkable 2-1 comeback victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Matchday 18 of the 2025-2026 Premier League season. The Villans endured intense pressure for nearly an hour, during which their opponents controlled possession and threatened their goal, before seizing control of the game.
This pivotal away win extended Aston Villa`s phenomenal winning run to 11 consecutive matches across all competitions—a streak comprised of eight straight victories in the Premier League and three successive wins in the UEFA Europa League.
The turnaround was spearheaded by striker Ollie Watkins, who entered the match in the 58th minute, replacing fellow Argentine Emiliano Buendía. Watkins netted both goals, securing a crucial success on foreign soil. Villa now sits on 39 points, just three points shy of league leaders Arsenal, whom they are set to face next, away, on Tuesday, December 30th.
Meanwhile, the recently crowned Club World Cup champions, Chelsea, continue to display frustratingly irregular form in domestic and European competition. In the Premier League, they have managed only one win in their last six outings, highlighting a significant struggle for consistency.
Chelsea will look to recover their footing when they host Bournemouth in the next round on December 30th, hoping to climb out of their recent slump.
Mark Thompson
