Chelsea defeated by Aston Villa as Enzo Maresca addresses Cole Palmer’s frustration
Enzo Maresca has downplayed concerns regarding Cole Palmer’s reaction after he was substituted during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, reports BritPanorama.
Aston Villa claimed all three points through a stunning brace from Ollie Watkins, who came off the bench to change the course of the match. Chelsea initially took the lead with a goal from Joao Pedro, who managed to get a slight touch on a Reece James corner.
However, Villa’s response was decisive after half-time, with Watkins finding the net twice to secure victory for Unai Emery’s side. Palmer, who started the match, was withdrawn with 18 minutes remaining when the score was 1-1, which prompted a visible reaction from the midfielder as he left the pitch.
Despite Palmer’s evident frustration, Maresca assured reporters that there was no cause for concern regarding the player’s mood. “No, no. He was working very good. He was on the ball and off the ball, pressing, he was very good,” the Chelsea manager remarked when asked about Palmer’s demeanor post-match. He explained that Palmer’s substitution was due to fatigue, not fitness issues, stating, “Overall, he had a good game.”
Maresca noted the tight fixture schedule as a factor leading to his decision. “We have another game now in 48 hours,” he said, expressing satisfaction that Palmer was fit to participate. Chelsea’s struggles persist, as they now occupy fifth place in the Premier League table after securing just one win in their last six league matches.
Maresca watched the match from the stands due to a suspension and reflected on the pivotal moments that led to the defeat. “I think the goal we conceded for sure changed the dynamic of the game,” he noted, also addressing his team’s finishing challenges. “For sure, we have to be clinical because, again, as I said, by the time they scored the goal, I think we should have scored two or three goals and the game is different.”
Chelsea’s next encounter is against Bournemouth on Tuesday night, an important fixture as they seek to regain momentum in an increasingly competitive season.
