Ollie Watkins highlights 'genius' of Unai Emery after Aston Villa's record-equalling win

Watkins scored both goals off the bench to cap a stunning turnaround at Stamford Bridge as the visitors claimed a win which also kept them within three points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who they visit on Tuesday.

Villa had been second best for the first hour and trailed to Joao Pedro’s opener but Emery’s substitutions changed the course of the game.

Watkins said: “He changed it because Chelsea were going man for man but they had the extra centre-back when we were going long. 

“When I came on in the second half he brought Jadon Sancho and Morgan Rogers on the wing and put Youri Tielemans in the No 10 - so we had an extra man in there. He's a tactical genius.

"An amazing win. For me personally to come on and score two goals is a great feeling - but to keep up this run and come here, a tough place, and beat Chelsea is amazing."

Villa’s run of 11 straight wins equalled a mark they also reached in 1897 and 1914 and set up a huge clash with Arsenal in their final fixture of 2025.

It was also the fifth time they had come from behind to win away from home in the league this season.

Boss Emery has continued to play down his team’s chances but Watkins believes they have at least given the Gunners and Manchester City something to think about.

He said: "I feel like teams are worried about us, even if we may not play the prettiest football at times. 

“We're taking each game as it comes and focusing on ourselves really. There's a lot of talk about us and people asking if we can win the title, but it's a long way away. We're just focusing on the next game."