José Mourinho enjoyed a rare moment of levity in the aftermath of an uncomplicated victory for Chelsea when it was put to him, after the manager had been effusive in his praise of the leadership qualities shown by the returning Diego Costa, that the striker might be future captaincy material. “These guys,” he quipped of his inquisitors, “they want to kill me.”
Costa, having served a three-match ban for embroiling himself in the kind of knife-edge shenanigans that are as much a part of his makeup as powerful play and hungry finishing, proved hugely influential. He played with gritty attacking intent, always available, a confident focal point who helped Chelsea manoeuvre their way out of recent choppy waters. It was not only his contribution to the goals – first an easy tap-in and then some determined play that led to the ball diverting in off Alan Hutton – it was the general air of indomitable bustling that struck a chord with Mourinho.
With the sense of trust between Chelsea’s manager and players at the moment uncharacteristically uncertain – reminding Eden Hazard of his defensive responsibilities after substituting him and replacing Ruben Loftus-Cheek at half-time emphasised the delicacy – Mourinho outlined his faith in what Costa brings. As Chelsea try to rediscover the game that made them champions last season, Mourinho relishes the fact that Costa welcomes the responsibility to make things happen.
“Sometimes personality qualities add something to the team. Diego isn’t a leader in the dressing room – he doesn’t even speak English well to be fluent – but in the game, the way he plays, the way he gives his body to the cause – it is always punished – is brilliant.
“The character, the personality, the movement, the [positional sense] to stretch the game when the team is under pressure, to ask for the ball in the space, to let the team come out of the pressure zones. He has a lot of tactical quality the team needs.
“When you lose him we’re a bit in trouble because the team always depends on a striker like him, from a character and personality like him.”
There were a couple of minor flare-ups with Micah Richards and Ashley Westwood that tiptoed on the border of aggression, and Mourinho stood firmly in camp Costa in these cases and wondered whether Villa were targeting his man. Both incidents were fairly trivial, with all parties involved to a similar degree.
Mourinho wants analysis of when he feels Costa is sinned against. “I’m pleased he didn’t react but I would be even happier if the people who find his hypothetical or real negative moments were honest the other way, and show and show and show,” he said.
The result was a good stepping stone for Chelsea. The week ahead brings two stiffer challenges, at Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League on Tuesday and West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, need a glimmer of light to cling to in their own predicament. The Premier League table and the form guide make grim reading. Tim Sherwood is steadfast in his belief that there is only one way he envisages leading Villa out of trouble and that is with an attempt at open football.
“I’m trying to instil in them not to be scared to lose,” he said. “If anyone should be scared to lose then it should be me – but I’m not. I want to go out on the front foot and if I die, I die on my sword. Why do we need to be more pragmatic? I would never be pragmatic. I’ve done it a few times but I don’t like myself for it.”
Villa, without a home win in the Premier League, host Swansea on Saturday. Sherwood is urging his players to rise to the challenge even if the tension at Villa Park brings a difficult edge. “It’s almost tougher when you play at home,” he said. “It’s a big club with a lot of expectation and quite rightly so. I’m not having a pop at the fans for that.
“If you want to play for a big club like Villa then you’ve got to take pressure, otherwise play for a smaller club in a lesser league. I won’t shirk away.”
Man of the match Diego Costa (Chelsea)
