Chelsea blames player who keeps Marcus Rashford onside to let Aston Villa equalise

Enzo Fernández had a night of mixed emotions as Chelsea faced Aston Villa in a crucial Premier League encounter. The Argentine midfielder opened the scoring for the Blues with a well-taken goal, giving his team the lead and putting them in a commanding position. However, his performance quickly turned into one of frustration as he played an unfortunate role in Aston Villa’s controversial equalizer.

The incident occurred when Marco Asensio found the back of the net, but the goal was initially ruled out for offside. The assistant referee believed that Marcus Rashford, who provided the assist, had been in an offside position before setting up Asensio. Chelsea players celebrated the decision, believing they had been let off the hook.

However, VAR intervened, and upon review, replays clearly showed that Fernández had been too slow to leave the penalty area on the opposite side of the pitch. His positioning meant that Rashford was actually onside when he received the ball, leading to the goal being reinstated. What seemed like a routine offside decision quickly turned into a frustrating moment for Chelsea, as Fernández’s lapse in positioning directly contributed to the equalizer.

Chelsea fans, who had been praising Fernández for his goal, quickly turned their attention to his defensive mistake. Many took to social media to express their disappointment, with some questioning his awareness in crucial moments. One supporter wrote, **“Great goal, but you can’t switch off like that defensively. That mistake cost us.”** Another added, **“This is why we struggle. One lapse in concentration and we’re punished.”**

Despite the setback, Chelsea continued to push forward in search of a winner, but the momentum had shifted. Aston Villa, now energized by their unexpected equalizer, grew in confidence and made life difficult for the Blues in the latter stages of the match.

Fernández, known for his composure and technical ability, will no doubt be frustrated with himself for the defensive lapse. While his attacking contributions remain invaluable, this moment serves as a reminder that every detail matters in top-level football. Chelsea’s coaching staff will likely address the issue in training, ensuring similar mistakes are avoided in the future.

As the season progresses, Fernández will look to redeem himself by maintaining his attacking influence while sharpening his defensive awareness. Chelsea, meanwhile, must regroup and focus on their next challenge, knowing that small mistakes can make the difference in their pursuit of success.