Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca insisted he was “happy” with Cole Palmer’s reaction after the forward missed a critical chance in his side’s defeat at Aston Villa. The slump in form continued for the visitors at Villa Park, with Marco Asensio’s brace confining them to a 2-1 defeat after an early strike from Enzo Fernandez.

Chelsea boss, Enzo Maresca, has spoken about Cole Palmer’s performance in their 2-1 Premier league defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday. It was Chelsea’s fifth defeat in nine league games and a missed opportunity to climb up to fourth in the league table.

Merson told Sportskeeda: “Chelsea are struggling so badly at the moment. I look at them and they are missing Nicolas Jackson quite badly. Without him, I don’t see a real pattern of play. Jackson’s absence is also affecting Cole Palmer, who has to drop deeper now.”