Joao Pedro was Chelsea's hat-trick hero as the Blues came from behind to inflict a 4-1 rout on Aston Villa.

The Brazil forward was also credited with an assist for Cole Palmer's strike at Villa Park, where the visitors ended a three-match winless streak.

Liam Rosenior's side found themselves behind after just two minutes when Ollie Watkins dummied Leon Bailey's low cross for Douglas Luiz to deftly flick beyond Filip Jorgensen, who had replaced Robert Sanchez in goal for the clash. 

However, Chelsea responded well. Joao Pedro and Palmer were both denied by Emiliano Martinez before the Brazilian equalised in the 35th minute, applying the final touch after Malo Gusto drilled an inviting ball across the six-yard box.

After Ollie Watkins was denied for offside following a VAR review, the visitors completed the turnaround in first-half stoppage time, with Enzo Fernandez releasing Joao Pedro, who neatly lifted the ball over Martinez.

It was 3-1 in the 55th minute when Martinez's clearance from Reece James' cross ricocheted off Joao Pedro to Palmer, who drove the ball home from the edge of the area.

The England forward then played a sublime throughball to split the Villa defence nine minutes later, enabling Alejandro Garnacho to square for Joao Pedro to complete his hat-trick.

Garnacho almost added a fifth goal later on, while substitute Tammy Abraham's looping header hit the crossbar at the other end, as Chelsea comfortably got back to winning ways.

Data Debrief: No way, Pedro!

Chelsea have won 14 of their 31 Premier League away games at Aston Villa (D8 L9), only winning more visits to Tottenham (17) and Southampton (15) in the competition.

Joao Pedro was the hero, becoming the first player to be directly involved in four goals in a single Premier League game this season (three goals, one assist). He is also the eighth Brazilian to score a hat-trick in the competition.

Villa had made a strong start. Luiz's strike – timed at one minute and 59 seconds – was the hosts' earliest goal scored and Chelsea's earliest goal conceded in the Premier League this season.

Each of the Brazilian's last 12 Premier League goals have all been scored at Villa Park. That is now the longest ever run by any player at the ground in the competition, overtaking Dion Dublin's run of 11 in a row from November 1998 to September 1999.

However, it proved academic with Villa losing a Premier League home game in which they had a lead at any stage for the first time since February 2023 against Arsenal, ending a run of 45 unbeaten at Villa Park in the competition when leading (W39 D6).