Chelsea came from behind for just the second time this season to secure all three points at Villa Park.
Frank Lampard watched on as his side conceded first despite dominating the first-half.
Kortney Hause put Aston Villa in front from close range which again exposed the Blues’ defensive frailties.
But two goals in the space of two second-half minutes turned the game on its head as Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud both struck.
The three points tightens Chelsea’s grip on fourth place after Manchester United and Sheffield United both dropped points.
Villa meanwhile remain in the bottom three having spurned the chance to climb up to 16th
