JAMES: WE LET IT SLIP AWAY

REECE JAMES and Moises Caicedo believe Chelsea only have themselves to blame for their defeat to Aston Villa.

- BY SAM TRUELOVE

The Blues dominated in the first half at Stamford Bridge and should have had more to show for it than a single goal scored by Joao Pedro (below), who flicked in James’ corner.

Ollie Watkins came off the bench after the break to stun the hosts with two goals as Villa were completely revived by Unai Emery's substitutions, while Chelsea were wrong-footed.

“We dominated 60, 65 minutes of the game,” said James. “We came out sharp with the way we set up, we got off on the front foot and in the right way.

“In the first 60 minutes they didn’t create any chances, and then they get one and the dynamic changes. We knew they'd make substitutions and the shape changed slightly but it was nothing we shouldn't have been able to deal with.