Chelsea slipped to a first loss in five games as goals for Ollie Watkins and John McGinn helped Aston Villa seal a 2-0 win in the Premier League on Saturday.
Watkins stunned the hosts early on with a lobbed first-half finish before his captain fired home a magnificent long-range effort close to the hour mark.
Defeat saw Graham Potter s previously resurgent hosts stutter at Stamford Bridge, leaving them five points off the top seven and potential European qualification.
For Unai Emery s visitors though, the result lifts them above their opponents and keeps them in with an outside shout of a surprise continental berth.
Chelsea rode their luck when McGinn rattled the crossbar with a fine volley, but they were less fortunate in the 18th minute.
A mix-up between Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly allowed Watkins to dart in and lift a finish over the bemused Kepa.
3 Ollie Watkins is one of only three players to have hit double figures for goals in each of the last three Premier League seasons (10 in 2022-23), along with Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah. Repeat.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
Ben Chilwell thought he had an equaliser in first-half injury time when his header beat Emiliano Martinez at the left post, but referee Andy Madley chalked it off for a shove on Ashley Young in the build-up.
Matters worsened for the Blues in the 56th minute, as they failed to clear a corner and McGinn punished them with a sensational strike through a crowded box to double the deficit.
The hosts turned to N Golo Kante, in his first appearance since last August, in an attempt to drag themselves back into the fight.
Yet Villa refused to simply sit back and see this one out, continuing to challenge their increasingly haggard opponents until the final whistle confirmed an impressive triumph.
What does it mean? Blues stung on return to action
Having built a head of steam across March to reignite their hopes of a European finish, the international break may have come at the worst possible time for Chelsea.
They were unable to recapture the sterling form they showed during last month s performances, and will now face a tough road to any finish that qualifies them for continental football.
Wayward hosts punished for inconsistency
Potter s side were certainly not shy with their attempts on goal, record an eye-watering 27 shots, compared to five for Villa.
But they were wayward with the majority of them, managing only eight on target and just two in the second half when they were chasing the game.
Watkins reinforces quality after England snub
Overlooked for Gareth Southgate s most recent Three Lions squad in favour of the in-form Ivan Toney, the Villa forward offered a timely reminder of his potential once again.
He now has 10 league goals this season, and is only the third man to hit double figures in the last three top-flight campaigns alongside Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah.
What s next?
Chelsea stay home to host Liverpool on Tuesday, while Villa remain on the road with a trip to meet Leicester City the same day.
