Joao Pedro scored a hat-trick as Chelsea boosted their Champions League qualification hopes with a handsome 4-1 win at Aston Villa. When Luiz struck inside three minutes, Villa had high hopes of taking a huge step towards securing their own Champions League ambitions but their night turned sour. But it was Chelsea who went in at half-time in front as Pedro struck again in the sixth minute of time added on. Villa were getting picked apart and Pedro claimed the match ball in the 64th minute with his hat-trick goal. Garnacho could have made it five from another counter-attack, but he shot straight at Martinez.

Source: Irish Examiner March 05, 2026 00:54 UTC