Potter hails Mount and Kepa after Chelsea victory

Chelsea boss Graham Potter paid tribute to Mason Mount and Kepa after the pair inspired his side to a 2-0 win at Aston Vila.

Mount scored twice and Kepa, who has been restored to first-choice keeper under Potter, made three superb saves to keep out Villa in the first half as Chelsea struggled to contain the hosts, who hit the woodwork three times before half-time.

England midfielder Mount pounced after six minutes after a mistake from Tyrone Mings and then doubled his side’s advantage with a fine free-kick midway through the second half.

“In the end Mason has made the difference,” Potter said.

“I thought we were better second half, more stable which is not easy for us given the amount of games we have played and come in from Milan to come here.

“They have a lot of quality on the pitch which can cause you problems so I am delighted with the three points and the clean sheet and delighted for Mason and Kepa in particular.”

The win was Chelsea’s fourth clean sheet in succession but it was only when Potter switched his defence at half-time to bring on Cesar Azpilicueta and Kalidou Koulibaly and move Raheem Sterling from wing-back to attack did they look comfortable.

“It is a collective desire to do the ugly stuff in a game and to help each other and to be together,” Potter said.

“If we have to suffer we have to suffer. Sometimes we have to have humility but at least we have players running and blocking shots.

“That is an important part of the game because we have the quality elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, Thiago Silva, who was excellent at the heart of the Chelsea defence, could be a doubt for Wednesday’s derby against Brentford.

“He has a bit of tightness around his hamstring and we will just have to see how he is,” Potter said.