Lukaku’s return inspires Chelsea to 3-1 victory against coronavirus ravaged Aston Villa

Chelsea Football Club which was on the verge of drifting out of the Premier League title race after dropping December points were inspired to a 3-1 victory by Romelu Lukaku

The Blues were in dire need of someone to come to their rescue and Romelu Lukaku did just that.

Though, the Belgian talisman has been on sideline after several weeks of injury.

Moreover, anything short of three points at Villa Park would have left Thomas Tuchel’s team with a mountain of epic proportions to climb to catch leaders Manchester City over the second half of the season.

Jorginho might have scored another two penalties to become Chelsea’s top scorer with nine goals, but this fightback from a goal behind against Aston Villa was all about Lukaku, who Tuchel will hope finishes the season top of the club’s scoring chart.

“I needed a performance like this,” said Lukaku. “We are the hunters now. The last results were not the best and now we have to chase. We have to treat every game like a final. Today we won and now we have to push on. We had to win the game.”

Chelsea still look less than convincing and must now sweat over the fitness of Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante, who were both forced off, but Lukaku has kept hope alive at Stamford Bridge – even though Tuchel is worried by the impact the schedule and coronavirus will have on his squad and is angry the Premier League have not reverted to allowing teams to make five substitutions again.

“Five subs was invented because of coronavirus,” said Tuchel. “Europe has a winter break, but we play through and put it on the players’ shoulders. They make us play all the time even if we have Covid. We have new injuries and it won’t stop. People at the green table, in offices, make these decisions. He [Lukaku] was a game changer today. I’m super impressed with the guys, but I’m super concerned.”

Tuchel’s team faced a rejuvenated Aston Villa who have won 12 points in six matches under head coach Steven Gerrard.

But they were without him on the sidelines due to a positive Covid test. Villa have lost their five matches with the league’s top five this season though, but did give a good account of themselves against Manchester City and Liverpool recently.

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