Garnacho praises Joao Pedro after Chelsea’s 4-1 win at Villa Park
Alejandro Garnacho praised Joao Pedro after Chelsea’s 4-1 win at Villa Park, with garnacho saying the Brazilian is ‘just scoring goals’ as the Blues closed the gap on the top four in a game the winger likened to a ‘final’. The South American duo combined for the final goal that completed Pedro’s first league hat-trick of the season.
Garnacho the creative spark at Villa Park
Chelsea recovered from an early deficit at Villa Park to produce a dominant night. Aston Villa opened the scoring, but Joao Pedro equalised before slotting a delicate chip to put Chelsea ahead at the break. Cole Palmer made it 3-1 after the interval, and a squared pass from Alejandro Garnacho was converted by Joao Pedro to seal the 4-1 result and finish the striker’s hat-trick.
Joao Pedro completes first league hat-trick
Joao Pedro’s trio of goals marked his first league hat-trick of the season and proved decisive in a victory the club said was vital for its push toward Champions League qualification. Garnacho singled out Pedro’s form after the match: ‘It’s crazy, the guy is just scoring goals. The confidence is very high, and he is helping us a lot, so we are really happy for him, ’ he said, adding that Pedro is ‘a top striker, one of the best on the team. ’
Rosenior praises professionalism and readiness
Manager Liam Rosenior had little choice but to start Garnacho with Pedro Neto suspended, and Rosenior highlighted the winger’s work in training and positive reaction to being out of the team. Garnacho completed all of his 24 passes in the match and won seven of 10 ground duels, while creating multiple opportunities in the attack and finishing the full 90 minutes on the field.
Garnacho’s unselfish finish — the pass that set up Pedro’s third — underlined the winger’s growing influence. Rosenior said the most pleasing aspect was Garnacho’s professionalism when not starting, praising his intensity in training and noting that the player ‘deserved that’ on the night. The manager added that Garnacho ‘is definitely going to get his opportunities to play with the schedule we’ve got coming up. ’
After a run of three Premier League games without a win, the 4-1 result at Villa Park was the response the side needed. Garnacho described the match as ‘almost like a final’ and said the group gave everything for the badge as they aim to displace teams above them in the race for a top-four finish.
Rosenior’s praise and Garnacho’s full performance give the club a clear immediate selection option as fixtures intensify, and the manager has signalled the winger will see more chances as the schedule continues. The club leaves Villa Park with three points and renewed momentum in the battle for Champions League qualification.
