PEDRO SINKS VILLA WITH A TREBLE YELL

JOAO PEDRO fired a hat-trick as Chelsea boosted their Champions League qualification hopes with a handsome 4-1 win at Aston Villa.

- BY JONATHAN VEAL

Pedro's first Premier League treble saw Liam Rosenior's side climb into the top five and move just three points behind the faltering Villans in fourth.

Cole Palmer also scored on a memorable night for the Blues, who showed spirit to come from behind after Douglas Luiz’s opener.

It was by far the best performance of Rosenior's two months in charge and they will approach the remainder of the season with confidence.

When Luiz struck inside three minutes, Villa had high hopes of taking a huge step towards securing their own Champions League ambitions but their night turned sour and they have now won just one of their last six league games.