Joao Pedro’s hat-trick injected new momentum into Chelsea’s push for the Champions League, sealing an emphatic victory at rivals Aston Villa.
The forward moved his season total to 17 goals, with Cole Palmer also scoring, as Chelsea fought back at Villa Park.
Douglas Luiz ended a goal drought of more than two years to put Villa ahead, but after the comeback they sit only three points above Chelsea in the Premier League, having missed the opportunity to go nine clear.
The Blues climbed to fifth place — just behind Villa — in the race for the Champions League, only a day after head coach Liam Rosenior cautioned that time was running short to close the gap.
It marked Villa’s heaviest home loss in two years and, after going a full year unbeaten in the Premier League at Villa Park until August, they have now suffered three defeats in their last five league matches on home soil.
Villa made an ideal start when Leon Bailey drilled in a low cross for Douglas Luiz to convert from close range inside two minutes.
Chelsea answered back, with Emi Martinez denying Joao Pedro and Palmer, while Reece James saw a penalty appeal waved away following a challenge from Ian Maatsen.
Those opportunities lifted the visitors, and Joao Pedro brought them level by finishing Malo Gusto’s delivery from close range.
Chelsea continued to dominate but nearly handed Villa another goal when James misplaced a pass, allowing Ollie Watkins to break through and beat Filip Jorgensen — only for the video assistant referee to rule him marginally offside.
Villa’s frustration with VAR continued in first-half stoppage time, as Enzo Fernandez slipped a clever ball through for Joao Pedro to chip over Martinez, with the striker deemed just onside.
Palmer added another 10 minutes after the restart, and Joao Pedro sealed his treble with a finish from Alejandro Garnacho’s assist.