Soccer

Stunning Gallagher goal gives Chelsea 2-2 draw away to Aston Villa

Aston Villa suffer a blow to their Champions League hopes as they can’t secure all three points at home

Conor Gallagher of Chelsea celebrates scoring the equaliser against Aston Villa. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Conor Gallagher of Chelsea celebrates scoring the equaliser against Aston Villa. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Sat Apr 27 2024 - 22:26
Premier League: Aston Villa 2 Chelsea 2

A brilliant second half strike by Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher secured a 2-2 Premier League draw with Aston Villa on Saturday as the Blues came back from two goals down to threaten Villa’s Champions League hopes.

Villa are fourth on 67 points, seven ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who play title-chasing Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday as one of their three games in hand over Villa. Chelsea are ninth on 48 points.

Thrashed 5-0 by Arsenal in midweek, Chelsea got off to the worst possible start when Villa midfielder John McGinn's shot was scuffed into his own net by Marc Cucurella in the fourth minute and Morgan Rogers added a second goal for the home side just before the break.

Villa were forced to replace keeper Emi Martinez with Robin Olsen at the break due to a hamstring injury, but the Swede was powerless to stop Noni Madueke from pulling back a goal in the 63rd minute and Gallagher’s stunning 81st-minute equaliser before Chelsea had what looked to be a late winner ruled out after a VAR review.

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