Chelsea denied stunning comeback after VAR rules out Axel Disasi winner at Villa
Premier League: Aston Villa 2 Chelsea 2
Chelsea were denied an incredible comeback at Aston Villa as they had an stoppage-time winner ruled out by VAR in a 2-2 draw.
Mauricio Pochettino's men looked to be ending a horror week in style when Axel Disasi's header in the fourth minute of time added on crashed in off the crossbar to overturn a 2-0 deficit.
But Benoit Badiashile was ruled to have fouled Diego Carlos in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.
It had seemed like it was going to be another night to forget as Marc Cucurella's own goal and a Morgan Rogers strike put Villa 2-0 up at the break.
But Chelsea, still licking their wounds from their 5-0 hammering at Arsenal in midweek, responded well and drew level through Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher before the injury-time drama.
Villa will feel they got away with one, despite leading 2-0.
Aiming to qualify for Europe's premier club competition for the first time, they were primed to move nine points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham but looked leggy and not at their best.
The draw has opened the door to Spurs, who have three games in hand, but Villa will still be favourites to finish in fourth as the north London club have Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City still to play.
Pochettino will be pleased with his side's performance and they still have a chance to qualify for Europe if they can finish an inconsistent season strongly.
Just as they did on that horror night at the Emirates on Tuesday, Chelsea conceded after only four minutes as Villa made the dream start.
Pau Torres was given space to advance, he fed Lucas Digne and the full-back pulled back to John McGinn, whose scuffed effort hit Cucurella and went into the net for an unfortunate own goal.
C
Read on irishexaminer.com
