'%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)
Normal services were resumed at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea ran out as 2-1 winners over newly-promoted Aston Villa to keep pace with Manchester City and Leicester City inside the top four.
Tammy Abraham marked his return to the fold with a smart header and an assist for Mason Mount, who lashed in a venomous volley to help his side regain advantage after Trezeguet had clawed the hosts back with a fortuitous goal.
The Blues were far from impressive in the opening exchanges, as passes were often overcooked, possession was lost cheaply and there was a clear lack of urgency and sharpness in the way they went about chasing their first league win in three matches.
However, Frank Lampard's troops turned the game on its head by upping their tempo, leaving the Chelsea faithful with a taste of their expansive, eye-catching football.
They could easily have added another, if not more than one. But, three points was all that was required under pressurising circumstances against the Villans. And Chelsea capped off a well-taken victory without much fuss in the end.
On that note, we analyse the major talking points from the Blues' narrow win over Dean Smith's Aston Villa.
1. Chelsea flourished down the right but lacked incision
As envisaged, Chelsea hogged most of the ball in the first-half, with almost all Aston Villa players inside their own territory. Despite the dominant display and Abraham's goal, the away side headed into the break with a smile.
They got their goal through Trezeguet, on the back of suicidal marking from the Chelsea defenders. What could have been an easy clearance on the far post turned out to be a free hit for the Egyptian.
Besides just the goal that held their spirits, Villa were happy to sit back, enjoy their share of spells and hit the hosts on the counter. Chelsea just couldn't pick the final ball, with Willian being one of the dishonourable members of the guilty party.
The veteran winger failed to pick a pass and was just not decisive with the situation and what was required of it. While he provided an example, the likes of Azpilicueta and Mount too, gave away the ball cheaply on a few occasions.
There was an attacking overload from the right, but very little of it turned into joy. The crosses were just not up to the mark.
2. Tammy Abraham's predatory instincts highlight Villa's problems
Who would, at the start of the season, have possibly thought that Tammy Abraham will be of invaluable importance to Lampard's setup?
He was back in the side after a minor strain sustained a week back, and back amongst the goals. Abraham had earlier scored a treble against Wolves, and a header planted past Rui Patricio illustrated how effective and clever he is in getting ahead of his marker at the right time, with tons of appetite.
He knew where the goal was, and while Chelsea were running the ball to and fro down the right, he could easily have lost his way. But the academy graduate was smart enough to time his run to perfection, leave the Villa defenders in their wake and bury a header that was made to look extremely simple courtesy of the run.
Abraham was constantly pressing the visitors down, using his body well to shield the ball and was lively throughout the game. He's an all-round centre forward, whose asset is now indispensable and quintessential.
Villa, on the contrary, shot themselves in the foot. They packed the numbers in to defend the cross but never got rid of their man. Should they stay up, they'll have to fix their zonal, static defending sooner than later.
3. Mason Mount buries his purists with an all-round display
For reasons unknown to many, Mason Mount of all people has come under some scrutiny for his performances, apparent lack of creativity and goal involvement of late. The fact of the matter is that he is just 20. And despite the same, he has amassed five goals and added two more assists already this season. What has gone unnoticed is his work ethic and defensive maturity.
By defensive maturity, we refer to his timely track-backs, smart covering at the back whenever Chelsea are shorn of a player in a particular position and lastly, for being a tormenting presence everywhere.
His runs free up Tammy Abraham, while his link-up play with the wingers add cohesion and direction to the Chelsea play. Mount is simply brilliant on the dead ball, and he's already shown us the best of composure and class in front of goal.
He's always in and around the 18-yard box, picking up pieces and occupying free zones - just as he did today when he fired in the volley.
He's got rockets in his locker, too. There's a long way to go for the 20-year-old, and if groomed and backed the right way, his potential is scary.
4. Chelsea upped the ante in the second half to seal three points
The Blues, although having collected points this season in different ways, have maintained a few standard formulae in every game. They play with vigour, speed and otherworldly intensity. Every player who plies his trade down the firing line expresses grimace upon scuffing an opportunity, evoking the hunger and desire to get onto the score sheet.
Today was no different in the second phase of the fixture. Chelsea significantly clocked more passes, spread the ball across with a bit more ease and time and tactically outclassed Villa.
One key aspect was the narrow, centred positions of the full-backs. As Azpilicueta and James occupied these positions beside the ever-so-willing N'Golo Kante and the wingers, the magnetising of Aston Villa players created acres of space centrally for Abraham and Mount to weave their magic.
It was no wonder then, that Mount had as many as three shots from outside the box.
On the overall note, the Blues looked far more determined and well-stacked, both at the back and while going forward. One moment where they did struggle was the marking at the far post, which eventually drew a spectacular save off Kepa Arrizabalaga - a player who is grasping his groove gradually.
5. Reece James is top-class full-back in the making
Reece James. Remember the name.
He is still in his teens but has adapted to life in the senior Chelsea squad like a duck to water. So much, that from the analysts to the fans, everybody wants James to start down the right side of the defence.
Seven games into the season, and we already know he needs no time to settle into the Premier League. The full-back has got the spike in his armoury besides his brute physicality and an infectious obsession to reinstall possession and win every duel.
Known for his immaculate crossing abilities and owning a teasing delivery, James was far from his all-round best today. Even then, it was a massive performance from his end.
James locked down Jack Grealish several times, thereby preventing him from pervading the central areas or teeing up onrushing Villa players. He was otherwise solid and robust with his challenges, and ever so comfortable in possession.
For all the service he whipped in for Olivier Giroud against West Ham three days ago, he deserved an assist. And so he did, as the opposition defence stood rooted to the ground when Abraham headed in.
The ball was sent in with the right amount of pace, dip and geometrical brilliance. For, that is what will separate James' delivery from his counterparts.
