Maresca Admits Chelsea “Control” Issue After Another Lead Slips vs Aston Villa

Enzo Maresca
December 2025

Chelsea again dropped points after leading Aston Villa, and Enzo Maresca admitted he cannot fully explain why his side keeps losing control of games. Joao Pedro’s first-half opener was not enough, as Villa turned it around with a decisive second-half response. Chelsea missed chances to extend the lead through Cole Palmer and Reece James, keeping Villa alive. Unai Emery’s triple change on the hour shifted momentum, and substitute Ollie Watkins scored twice. Maresca said the pattern is recurring and not random.