The Blues were defeated at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League for a fourth time this season, with Unai Emery’s side claiming all three points courtesy of goals in each half from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn.

Despite having 27 shots at goal compared to Aston Villa’s five, Chelsea could not get on the scoresheet after going behind to our visitors from the Midlands and Potter felt our lack of quality in both boxes was our undoing today.

‘In both boxes we were second best,’ Potter explained after the game. ‘The first goal for them is disappointing and we need to do better. There were a lot of good things in the game, a lot of attacking play, entries and a lot of shots. If you look at the stats, it was positive.

‘The boys gave everything in the game. Their intentions were there, they showed personality and tried. Ultimately, you need to defend better than we did. I am responsible for that, and we will look at it and do better.

‘We started well in the second half, but then one action sees the ball back up our end and then it is a great strike from McGinn. Ultimately, the most important stat is the defeat. We have to accept it and work hard to put things right.’

Potter was pressed on the two substitutions he made immediately after Villa’s second goal… 

‘Ruben was getting space and we wanted a winger on there. N’Golo is a big player for us and we thought he could run in behind. I thought he did well when he came on.

We need to manage moments better and the scoreline tells the story. We have to respond now, and we have a fantastic game on Tuesday night [against Liverpool] to put it right.

The head coach was asked about Ben Chilwell’s impressive display…

‘I thought Ben did really well and he gave us absolutely everything down that left side. He was unlucky not to score today, he attacked the backline really well. There were certainly positives for us but obviously it doesn't feel that way because we lost the game.’

The head coach was also asked about the frustrations of the crowd at full-time. ..

‘I understand when you lose at home that people will be frustrated, disappointed and angry. No one is happy with where we are in the league table and we have to work hard to improve that.

'It’s an emotional game and I can certainly understand the frustrations after a home defeat.’