The two sides came into this encounter separated by six points in the race for a spot in Europe’s premier club competition.
Villa were the side in the better position as they led the Blues in the table, and they needed just three minutes to break the deadlock when Douglas Luiz backheeled Leon Bailey’s cross into the back of the net.
Nevertheless, Chelsea responded well as they looked to bounce back from their Matchday 28 defeat to Arsenal, with Pedro’s header forcing an important stop from Emiliano Martínez shortly after.
Next to test the Argentinian goalkeeper was Cole Palmer, although that intervention was far more routine. Eventually, though, Chelsea did have their equaliser when Pedro slid in to tap Malo Gusto’s pinpoint low cross into an empty net.
The hosts grew in confidence midway through the half and had a slew of chances themselves.
Ollie Watkins was the main threat and, after twice testing incoming goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen, the England international thought he had restored his team’s lead by pouncing on Reece James’ loose pass and burying into the corner.
However, the goal was ruled out for the narrowest of offsides, and the visitors ultimately took advantage of their reprieve in the seventh of eight additional minutes.
Pedro has arguably been the Blues’ most decisive player since Liam Rosenior’s arrival as head coach, and his delightful chip over Martínez for his 13th PL goal of the season put his side in front at the interval.
Both teams pushed forward in search of more goals after the break, and it was Chelsea who had the ball in the back of the net next.
Palmer had not been at his best in the opening period, it was his strike after Martínez had pushed James’ cross into a dangerous area that gave the London side extra breathing space.
By this point Chelsea were purring, and it was a wonderful team move that gave them their fourth. Palmer’s through ball was perfectly weighted into the path of Alejandro Garnacho, who squared the ball on a plate for Pedro to complete his treble.
Garnacho could have added extra gloss to the scoreline, but his effort from close-range was kept out by Martínez. All in all, though, this was a fantastic evening for Rosenior and Co., with Chelsea closing the gap on the top four.
Villa, meanwhile, have now won just one of their past six at home - hardly the kind of form required to secure a place in next season’s UCL.
Flashscore Man of the Match: João Pedro (Chelsea)
