Every word Liam Rosenior said on Chelsea's tactic angering Aston Villa and Joao Pedro heroics
Liam Rosenior has just completed his post-match press conference following Chelsea's 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday evening.
The Blues came from a goal down to pick up a massive three points at Villa Park, largely thanks to a wonderful hat-trick from Joao Pedro. Chelsea are now three points behind Villa, who occupy fourth in the Premier League table.
Here is every word Rosenior had to say after his side took an important step towards Champions League qualification:
- Aston Villa vs Chelsea LIVE: Joao Pedro nets hat-trick and Cole Palmer scores at Villa Park
- Chelsea line-ups for Aston Villa as Alejandro Garnacho agreement reached amid Romeo Lavia decision
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Provided you didn't pick up any injuries, tonight couldn't have gone much better...
We could have kept a clean sheet. No, it's a really good evening and so far I haven't heard of any injury issues. I was very proud of them today. We've had a few kicks. We spoke about responding positively before the game. We had to end the game because, first and foremost, the first attack. They scored from a fantastic finish. I don't understand how we don't get a penalty. The fact that we've won 4-1 doesn't change that. It's a clear penalty on Reece. It's another setback. For the players to perform in the manner that they did, with and without the ball, makes me a very proud manager this evening.
What did you make of Joao Pedro's performance?
Yeah, he's a top player. I think he's grown in confidence. I think his hold-up play, the energy he puts into the team in terms of his press, his movement, his goal with the left foot is world-class. The finish is magnificent. But actually, I'm really, really delighted with his two tap-ins that he got. He was in the right place at the right time. We worked hard with him on that, but he gets the hat-trick. It's really hard to single someone out. I thought it was an outstanding team performance, starting with Filip, going through the back line, midfield, Moises, Enzo, Romeo when he comes on, Garnacho we've spoken about. I just thought it was an outstanding team performance.
You must be happy with how you've responded to setbacks tonight?
For sure, you're going to have setbacks in your season, whether that's dropping points, whether that's losing games that you shouldn't, whereas conceding the first goal. The maturity of the team, the quality that we played with, it can be better, for sure. But in terms of the spirit and what you want to see in a team, I was really, really pleased with that tonight.
The huddles before kick-off and before the second half seemed to anger Aston Villa. Was that your idea?
No, it wasn't. The idea came from the players, and I really like it because they're showing unity and togetherness and spirit, and I think you need that. Before anything, you start talking about tactics or systems, you need a group of players willing to run and fight for each other, and in my time, I have to say, there's not been one game where I can say they haven't given everything or I was disappointed with their application, and that bodes well. They're a good group, they're a tight group, they enjoy each other's company, and that's half the battle.
Alejandro Garnacho, you spoke pre-match about his training level. You must be pleased with how he carried that into tonight?
That's normally what happens. When you're professional, you do everything right on the training pitch. He's really impressed me the last few weeks. He's impressed me the most while he's been out of the team, because his reaction to being out of the team is professionalism. The intensity that he's trained at, it's no coincidence that he's going to perform like that today. That's the most pleasing thing for me, he deserved that today. He should have got a goal, but he was in the right position, and I loved how unselfish he was to set up the goal for Joao.
Liam, can that result be significant in the race for the Champions League?
It's only significant if we back it up. We have to be consistent. We have a massive FA Cup game, then we've got a huge game in Paris, and then we've got another huge game against Newcastle. We just need to back it up and not look at the significance of the games. We just need to perform, and if we perform at that level, we're going to be in a good place.
Would it have been gone if you'd lost?
No, it wouldn't have been gone. The swings, it's not just us and Villa that we are behind and chasing. We've got those teams to play. It wouldn't have been gone, but obviously I'm happier tonight that we're not nine points behind.