'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea returned to winning ways with a 3-1 away win at Villa Park in their Premier League fixture on Sunday. Romelu Lukaku, coming on as a second-half substitute, helped Chelsea turn the game around on its head.
Reece James' first-half own goal got proceedings underway. However, the Blues levelled proceedings, courtesy Jorginho from the penalty spot. A Lukaku strike and another Jorginho spot-kick then sealed the deal for Chelsea.
Trending
With the win, Chelsea moved level with second-placed Liverpool and six points behind leaders Manchester City. Liverpool have a game in hand, though. Earlier in the day, City registered a thrilling 6-3 win against Leicester City.
On that note, here are five talking points from Chelsea's win at Aston Villa:
#5 Chelsea suffer more injury worries
Chelsea enjoyed a great win at Aston Villa. They scored three goals and kept control over proceedings throughout the game, especially in the second half.
There were a lot of positives to take home from their trip to Villa Park. That included Jorginho's goal-scoring record from the penalty spot and Lukaku's goalscoring return. However, one worry for Thomas Tuchel after the game would be the injuries to N'Golo Kante and Thiago Silva.
Silva likely pulled his hamstring and could be back soon, but Kante's injury seems more serious. Ben Chilwell has already been ruled out. So it will be bad news for the Blues if both Chilwell and Kante are ruled out for a lengthy period.
#4 Chelsea earn crucial three points ahead of tough fixtures
Chelsea's first win in three games could not have come at a better time. The Blues face Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League in January, which could prove decisive in the title race.
Thomas Tuchel's men had a solid outing at Aston Villa. The addition of Romelu Lukaku provided a much-needed physical presence in the final third, which led to a shift in their approach.
The visitors kept their composure after conceding an early own goal. Chelsea were soon back on level terms, thanks to a penalty just six minutes later. The Blues will now hope to continue their winning ways against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday before taking on Liverpool and Manchester City.
#3 Aston Villa fail to step up in the final third
Aston Villa had little to offer in the final third against Chelsea. Their only goal of the game was an own goal, courtesy Reece James. That was the first own goal in the Premier League for the Chelsea defender.
The hosts' first shot on target came in the 79th minute, while seven other attempts throughout the game were off target. Villa have been inconsistent throughout the season, yet to record a win against a top-six team.
#2 Jorginho breaks calendar year record for most successful penalties in the Premier League
Jorginho became Chelsea's second-highest goalscorer in the Premier League this season with a brace from the penalty spot against Aston Villa. It was the second time the Italian scored twice from the penalty spot in the league this season, having also scored a brace in the 3-2 win against Leeds United.
All six of his goals in the Premier League this season have come from the penalty spot, which is an impressive feat. His injury-time penalty took his tally of penalty goals in the league to ten for the calendar year. That's the most by any player in league history.
Impressively, the Italian is 100% from the spot in the league this year. He could add to his tally when Chelsea face Brighton on Wednesday.
#1 Romelu Lukaku makes an instant impact for Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku's much-awaited return to action after a spell on the sidelines proved to be a successful one. He made an instant impact against Aston Villa, coming on as a second-half substitute.
He won his duels against Tyrone Mings, who bullied other Chelsea players in the final third for the better part of the first half. Lukaku became the focal point of all Chelsea attacks in the second half. He won a header against Mings, nodding in from Callum Hudson-Odoi's cross in the 56th minute to give Chelsea the lead on the night.
Lukaku also won the penalty that led to the third goal of the game for Chelsea, after he was hauled down by Ezri Konsa inside the box. It was a good performance from the striker, and Tuchel will be relieved to have him back in the fold.
