Manager Paul Lambert admitted his Aston Villa side were not good enough against rampant Chelsea after they suffered a record 8-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. The defeat was Villa’s heaviest ever in the top flight.
“We were beaten up pretty badly from start to finish. The lads know themselves that that was not acceptable,” said Lambert.
“We were second best all over the pitch, I am not going to stand here and make excuses.” Aston Villa came into the game unbeaten in their last six matches, including an impressive 3-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield last time out.
But they fell behind after 129 seconds when Fernando Torres headed past goalkeeper Brad Guzan and were soon buried by a ruthless attacking display by the Blues. “We cannot concede as early as that at places like these, you are on the back foot right away. It is vital that you come here and try and get a foothold in the game,” Lambert added.
“You can’t feel sorry for yourselves, you take your medicine in football and you have to go again.
“We have got two days to mull over it and we have got to go again on Wednesday [against Tottenham].”
The victory carried Chelsea up from seventh to third and interim manager Rafael Benitez, who succeeded Roberto di Matteo at the end of November, believes his side are starting to play the way he wants them to. “Everything impressed me the performance of the team,” said the Spaniard.
“We have been talking before about the mentality of the team; attacking, creating chances, we had good movement, we were good in defence. As a team we had the balance we are looking for.”
Defender David Luiz revived the midfield role that he played in the Blues’ semi-final win over Monterrey in the Club World Cup, but Benitez says he does not foresee the Brazilian making the positional switch permanently.
“No, I knew it could be an option,” Benitez added. “Now we can manage in a different way we can use him as a holding midfielder but also as a centre-back.
“He’s good in the air, can use both feet, can score goals and he can tackle. He has a lot of attributes.” Benitez was coy on the future of two players who have been linked with moves away from the club.
The 52-year-old confirmed that Daniel Sturridge was due to have a medical at Liverpool ahead of a proposed move, but said he had been concentrating on the match rather than the striker’s situation. He also stressed that Frank Lampard, whose contract expires at the end of the season, remains a key part of his squad for the moment.
“He is an important player for us. He trained well and is doing well. His commitment is there,” said Benitez.
“Everything is positive. It is still a long season to play but he is doing well.”
