The fixture got off to a fast start, with the Blues pressing immediately. It was a dominant display from our Under-21s, who were in action at Stamford Bridge for the first time this season, in our first game after the March international break.

We struck early, with Ishe Samuels-Smith opening the scoring with a fine low finish just a minute into the match. It didn’t take long for Shumaira Mheuka to double our lead before the break, smashing in an unstoppable strike.

That momentum carried into the second half, where we remained a constant threat to Villa. Donnell McNeilly added his name to the scoresheet with a skillful volley, and Brodi Hughes completed the scoring for the home team with a looping header into the net.

Although Villa pulled one back through Rory Wilson’s tap-in, it was merely consolation, as we held firm and continued our winning run by securing a 4-1 victory.

Electric start

Chelsea wasted no time lighting up the big stage in front of the home crowd, breaking the deadlock in the opening minute. A dazzling solo run from Genesis Antwi saw him weave through the Aston Villa defence with blistering pace. He cut the ball back perfectly to the edge of the box, where Samuels-Smith was waiting to meet it. With composure, he placed a low shot into the bottom corner, leaving Sam Proctor in the Villa goal with no chance.

Our visitors responded with intent as Mason Cotcher broke forward and unleashed a low strike from a tight angle, but our towering keeper Lucas Bergstrom stood tall and reacted superbly to deny the equaliser.

Chelsea stayed focused and soon doubled our lead with a brilliant team move. Hughes sent a precise long ball down the flank for the tireless Antwi, who delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Although Triston Rowe got a touch in his attempt to clear, our clinical No9, Mheuka, pounced on the loose ball and finished powerfully past Proctor. A superb goal from the in-form striker.

We nearly grabbed a third straight after. Samuel Rak-Sakyi danced into the box with some tricky footwork and teed up McNeilly for a venomous strike, but Proctor pulled off a strong save to deny our forward.

Chelsea remained dominant, dictating the pace of this high-energy clash. Hughes continued to cause problems down the wing and tested Proctor with a curling strike, which stung the keeper’s gloves, but wasn't enough to get the full-back's name on the score sheet.

Relentless pressure

The Blues continued to apply pressure and came painfully close to scoring again. Hughes made another driving run forward and floated a cross into the box. Mheuka met it with a smart, flicked header, but Proctor reacted quickly and pushed the effort away with a sharp save.

Chelsea's pressure showed no signs of slowing. From a quick corner taken by Kiano Dyer, Hughes tapped the ball to the edge of the box where captain Harrison McMahon was patiently waiting. He unleashed a powerful low drive that seemed destined for the net, only to bounce narrowly wide of the post.

As the first half drew to a close, Chelsea kept up the pressure, with both Mheuka and McNeilly posing a threat in front of goal. However, neither was able to convert before the break. It had been an action-packed opening 45 minutes, and the Blues went into half-time 2-0 up.

Floodgates open

We started the second half brightly, carrying the momentum from the end of the first. Defender Harrison Murray-Campbell was the first to test the Villa goalkeeper, rising to meet Dyer’s cross with a thumping header. However, it lacked the power to trouble Proctor.

But it felt like only a matter of time before we found our third - and when it came, it was a moment of real quality. The goal stemmed from a perfectly executed set-piece. Landon Emenalo delivered a lofted left-footed ball into the area and McNeilly met it with a stunning volley, driving it straight through the goalkeeper’s arms. A brilliant goal and one we deserved.

The celebrations didn’t stop there. The Blues supporters were treated to a fourth goal after we sliced through Aston Villa’s defence again. Dyer took the initial shot, which deflected off a Villa defender and looped into the air. Hughes reacted instinctively, charging in to meet the ball with a brave header, adding his name to the score sheet.

As the game neared its end, Aston Villa pulled a goal back, applying pressure in search of a late consolation. Attacker Wilson found the net with a low strike, just two minutes from time.

However, that goal couldn't dampen the celebrations in front of the Stamford Bridge supporters when the final whistle blew on an impressive home victory, securing back-to-back Premier League 2 wins for the Blues.

What's next

Chelsea Under-21s will next be in action on Monday evening, when we face Burnley in the Premier League Cup quarter-finals away at Victory Park, with kick-off at 7pm.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Lucas Bergstrom (Luke Campbell 81); Brodi Hughes, Harrison Murray-Campbell (Kaiden Wilson 74), Landon Emenalo, Ishe Samuels-Smith (Ronnie Stutter h-t); Harrison McMahon (c), Samuel Rak-Sakyi; Genesis Antwi, Kiano Dyer, Donnell McNeilly (Ryan Kavuma-McQueen 82); Shumaira Mheuka (Chizaram Ezenwata 80)
Scorers: Samuels-Smith 2, Mheuka 10, McNeilly 65, Hughes 70
Booked: Hughes 54

Aston Villa (4-3-3): Sam Proctor, Triston Rowe, Rodrigo Fortes (Charlie Pavey h-t), Thierry Hathaway, Yeimar Mosquera, Aidan Borland (c) (Ethan Amundsen-Day 64), Trai Varn Mulley (Omar Khedr 64), George Hemmings, Mason Cotcher (Rory Wilson h-t), Cole Brannigan, Kane Taylor
Unused sub: Alex Hammond
Scorer: Wilson 88
Booked: Borland 45+1