Thomas Tuchel has admitted Chelsea were ‘lucky’ to sneak over the line and seal a spot in the top four after the Blues suffered defeat at Villa Park against Aston Villa.
Chelsea travelled to the West Midlands needing to match Leicester City’s result against Tottenham Hotspur to clinch a place in the Champions League next season.
Blues supporters had their hearts in their mouths on a rollercoaster afternoon as Tuchel’s side fell behind by two goals to Dean Smith’s side, while Leicester and Spurs exchanged control of the contest at the King Power Stadium.
Jamie Vardy had sent Brendan Rodger’s side into the lead in the second half but a Kasper Schmeichel own goal and Gareth Bale brace saw Spurs leave the East Midlands with all three points and break the hearts of the Foxes fans.
Leicester’s defeat meant that Chelsea’s poor display at Villa Park did not jeopardise their position in next season’s Champions League, and Tuchel reflected that his side were ‘lucky’ after losing a third game out of four.
‘True [we made hard work of it], it was our responsibility to lose today,’ Tuchel told Sky Sports.
‘We had enough chances, the performance was by far good enough to win the game but we didn’t score and conceded two cheap goals and in the end it was a defeat and we were lucky to escape for today, but overall it [top four] was deserved.’
Despite Sunday’s defeat to the Villans, Tuchel was adamant that his side were deserving of all three points, saying his side lacked the incisiveness to finish their opportunities after losing 2-1.
‘We create so many opportunities. [We lacked] composure, last touch, precision. It was a very strong first half an hour, the reaction was very good right after half time.
‘We had two big chances to score and they get the penalty. And then it’s more or less we create big chances, maybe get handball on the line. We fought, we tried everything but forgot to score.
‘We knew in the end that we don’t need to take the maximum risk but it was the last five minutes.’
Tuchel will have to rally his side as they prepare to take on Manchester City in the Champions League final on Saturday in Porto.
The German has triumphed twice over City boss Pep Guardiola in recent weeks, but Chelsea’s form going into the showpiece event will be of concern to the new manager as the club look to win their second European title.
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