Marco Asensio bags a brace as Aston Villa beat Chelsea

Filip Jorgensen's late howler in the Chelsea goal handed Aston Villa a Champions League qualification lifeline as they won 2-1 at Villa Park.

The Blues’ goalkeeping problems continued as Jorgensen inexplicably let Marcos Asensio’s saveable shot straight through his grasp in the 89th minute to give Villa a vital three points in the race for the top four.

Unai Emery’s men looked like falling short and drawing a third home game in a week as Asensio’s 57th-minute strike cancelled out Enzo Fernandez’s early opener.

But Jorgensen’s nightmare moment saw Villa earn a win which closes the gap on their opponents to one point, sitting just two behind Manchester City in fourth.

It was especially pleasing as Villa’s January loan signings combined, with both of Asensio’s goals created by Marcus Rashford and Emery will be hoping the pair can fire his side back into Europe next season.

For Chelsea, who switched to Jorgensen after a string of errors by Robert Sanchez, their slide continues. They have won just two of their last 10 games.

It had started so well for the visitors, with Pedro Neto the architect as they stormed into a ninth-minute lead.

The former Wolves winger beat Villa left-back Ian Maatsen and fired a dangerous ball across goal which Fernandez converted from two yards.

Villa had two quickfire chances to level but Ollie Watkins fluffed them both.

First, he was played in by Asensio, but a poor first touch took him wide and his shot was saved by the legs of Chelsea goalkeeper Jorgensen.

Then Maatsen’s cross found its way to the England striker at the far post but a snatched effort was blocked by Marc Cucurella.

Watkins kept trying and was again denied by Jorgensen’s legs as he slid onto Youri Tielemans’ cross, before slamming an effort