Chelsea continued their strong Premier League form with a commanding 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, but the win came at a cost as key defender Wesley Fofana suffered a hamstring injury.
Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the setback could keep the French international out of action for up to five weeks.
The Blues started brightly, with Nicolas Jackson opening the scoring in the first ten minutes—his eighth goal of the season.
Enzo Fernandez doubled the lead with a composed finish from a Cole Palmer assist before Palmer himself capped off the win with a late third.
Maresca praised his team’s performance, saying: “A top performance on and off the ball, and I’m very happy with the three points.”
The win pushes Chelsea closer to the top four, maintaining their upward momentum under Maresca’s leadership.
Despite the triumph, Fofana’s injury dealt a significant blow to Chelsea. The 23-year-old, who joined from Leicester City for £70m in 2022, has struggled with injuries, missing the entire previous season. His resurgence this term had made him a crucial part of the squad.
Maresca lamented the defender’s absence, stating: “It’s a hamstring problem. These things require at least three, four, five weeks. In the way he was playing, it’s a big loss for us. But we have more players and we’ll try to find solutions.”
Fofana’s injury forced Chelsea to bring on Benoit Badiashile, who will likely be tasked with stepping up in the Frenchman’s absence.
Cole Palmer, instrumental in Chelsea’s victory, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance and credited Maresca for instilling belief in the squad.
“If I go out and enjoy my football, the goals and assists will come. It’s all down to the manager—the desire he puts into the sessions and what the players give to him.”
With Palmer’s confidence growing and the team hitting their stride, Chelsea’s ambitions of breaking into the top four remain alive.
Chelsea’s injury concerns now include Fofana, but the squad’s depth and recent performances suggest they can cope with the challenge. With top-four aspirations in sight, the Blues will need to maintain their form as they prepare for a busy winter schedule.