Aston Villa couldn’t hold onto a two-goal lead and ended up with a 2-2 draw against Chelsea in the English Premier League on Saturday, which puts a dent in their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Chelsea thought they had secured a win in stoppage time with a goal from substitute Axel Disasi, but it was disallowed due to a push in the buildup. This decision sparked frustration among Chelsea players, who protested to the referee after the final whistle.
Villa took a 2-0 lead by halftime thanks to an own goal by Marc Cucurella in the fourth minute and a goal by Morgan Rogers in the 42nd.
However, Chelsea dominated the second half, with Noni Madueke scoring in the 62nd minute and Conor Gallagher equalizing with a curled shot from outside the box in the 81st minute.
Despite the draw, Villa remains in fourth place, seven points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham, with three games remaining.
Tottenham has three games in hand but faces tough opponents like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City in their run-in.
Villa is aiming to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in its history. They won the European Cup in 1982 when it was called the European Cup. The draw ensures Villa at least a place in next season’s Europa League.
Chelsea, despite being in ninth place, also has games in hand over teams competing for European qualification next season.
