Team News

Ed Brand freshened up the starting line-up by making five changes from the 4-0 loss last time out against Arsenal. In came Josh Tobin, Silko Thomas, Edwin Andersson and Louis Flower as we fielded an attacking side to secure the three points. Ted Curd was also selected to go between the sticks.

It was a nervy start from our young Blues as Villa striker Ruben Shakpoke had a one-on-one situation in which our keeper Curd came out on top, saving with a strong left-foot.

We responded as a Tobin lofted through ball found Andersson who tried to lob the keeper, but he got his execution wrong.

Quickly after, we had a disallowed goal as Zain Silcott-Duberry delivered a fantastic cross, which Malik Mothersille volleyed in, but the young striker was marginally offside.

We were fortunate though not be a goal down as Curd closed down one of the Villa attackers but could not block the cut-back and with an empty net, Villa’s striker shot wide.

Wake-up call

It was a huge let-off and was the wake-up call we needed. Leo Castledine stung the palms of the keeper with a curled effort.

The resulting corner trickled out to Mothersille who shot; his effort was diverted goalwards by Tobin but that was saved. The ball was chipped back into the box and Luke Badley-Morgan finished well to give us the lead halfway through the first half.

Impressive football

We doubled our lead through Silko Thomas who dribbled his way through the middle of the park with tidy, nimble play. He was then able to compose himself and finish nicely into the bottom corner.

The second half saw us completely take control of the game. We deservedly added to the lead through an own-goal from Taylor Jay-Hart after a Silcott-Duberry shot.

The Birmingham based side did pull a goal back through Finley Munroe as he slid home after a deep cross to the back post.

Lovely finish

With the referee about to blow his whistle there was one more goal from our young Blues. Derrick Abu went on a surging run, beating two men in the process. He slid through Flower who composed himself and slotted away.

A great bounce back from the defeat at the weekend to Arsenal.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Teddy Curd; Silko Thomas (Somto Boniface 60), Derrick Abu, Josh Tobin, Luke Badley-Morgan; Sam Rak-Sakyi, Leo Castledine (c); Zain Silcott-Duberry, Louis Flower, Edwin Andersson (Richard Olise 78); Malik Mothersille (Ronnie Stutter 67).

Unused Subs: Prince Adegoke, Ollie Starkey.

Scorers: Luke Badley-Morgan 31; Silko Thomas 42; Taylor Jay-Hart 57 (OG); Louis Flower 90.

Booked: Derrick Abu 59.

Aston Villa (4-4-2): Oliwier Zych; Harvey Rhoades, Finley Munroe, Caolan McBride, Ealing (Jaden Barber 55); Teddy Rowe (Charlie Lutz 70), Taylor Jay-Hart, Kyrie Pierre, Kahrel Reddin; Chisom Afoka, Ruben Shakpoke (Dewain Sewell 45).

Unused Subs: James Wright, Luke Softley.

Scorer: Finley Munroe 89.