Lukaku shines on return as Chelsea defeat Aston Villa

Chelsea saw off Aston Villa on Boxing Day to keep in touch with the league leaders in the Premier League, thanks to the brilliance of Romelu Lukaku.

Steven Gerrard, who had to watch this one from home after he tested positive for COVID-19, saw his side take the lead after Matt Targett's first-time cross deflected off Reece James and into the net for an own goal on 27 minutes.

Thomas Tuchel's side's lead didn't trail for long, however, and were awarded a penalty just five minutes later after Callum Hudson-Odoi was brought down by Matty Cash in the penalty area, with Jorginho calmly converting the spot kick despite Emiliano Martinez's best efforts to put him off.

The sides went into the half-time break level at 1-1, but Villa had been the better side in the opening 45, with Chelsea not creating much apart from their penalty.

After a difficult first half for Chelsea defender Trevor Chalobah, he was replaced at the break by Romelu Lukaku with Reece James moving into the right-back berth and Christian Pulisic shifting to right wing-back.

Lukaku made a quick impact on his return from injury, scoring a glancing header from a Hudson-Odoi cross to give the visitors the lead.

Mason Mount had a golden opportunity after rounding the goalkeeper but dragged his shot wide.

The game was rounded off in injury time as Lukaku won a penalty after bullying Matty Cash before being brought down in the area by Ezri Konza for Jorginho to grab his second of the game from the spot.

Despite playing only the second period, Lukaku produced a man of the match performance and has shown just how important he is to this side.

This result is Chelsea's first win in three Premier League games following on from draws against Everton and Wolves and leaves them in third place with 41 points after 19 games and six points behind league leaders Manchester City.