‘Been alive’: Sky pundit really impressed by two Aston Villa players today despite Chelsea loss

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Micah Richards was really impressed by Aston Villa strikers Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins on Sky Sports today – despite the loss to Chelsea.

Steven Gerrard’s men fell behind in the fifth minute of the game after a Tyrone Mings error. The Villa man’s poor defensive header fell into the path of Mason Mount, who finished excellently.

The Villains fought back and were arguably the better side during the opening period. But a superb display from Kepa Arrizabalaga denied Gerrard’s men an equaliser.

The Chelsea shot stopper made superb saves, in particular to deny Jacob Ramsey and Ings. Despite a lack of cutting edge in front of goal, Richards praised Villa’s striker partnership.

Richards really impressed by Watkins and Ings

Speaking at half-time on Sky Sports’ coverage of the game, Richards admitted that he was unsure about Watkins and Ings starting together.

He said: “A great response [to Mount’s goal]. They just don’t get the ball in the back of the net. Chance after chance this time.

“I didn’t know how this was going to work with Ings and Watkins together. Today they’ve been alive, they’ve been on the front foot.”

There have been doubts over Ings and Watkins as a partnership up-front for Villa. But the pair caused big problems for Chelsea’s defence in the first-half today.

Richards had previously admitted that he didn’t think the pair could play together in Gerrard’s side. But it seems that they have changed his view after their performances at Villa Park today.

Despite a positive first-half display, Gerrard’s men went 2-0 down after a superb free-kick from Mount.

The Chelsea midfielder grabbed his second of the afternoon after wrong-footing Emiliano Martinez.

There were certainly some positives for Gerrard today as his side looked much more threatening in an attacking sense. The Villains also faced an in-form Chelsea side and should have got on the scoresheet at least twice in the first-half.

Gerrard will be hoping to build on some encouraging signs as they face a trip to Fulham on Thursday night.