Chelsea captain Reece James faced the media with honesty and accountability after a shocking home loss to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues looked in control for much of the match, taking the lead in the 37th minute through a fortunate João Pedro goal from a James corner. For 60 minutes, Chelsea dominated, creating chances and holding Villa at bay.

But the game dramatically turned in Aston Villa’s favor. Super-sub Ollie Watkins struck twice, first equalizing just after the hour mark and then netting the winner late, handing Villa a stunning comeback and stretching the gap between the sides to ten points.

Speaking to Sky Sports, James didn’t shy away from responsibility:

“It’s always disappointing to lose at home. We dominated the first 60–65 minutes, they didn’t create any chances, and then one moment changed everything.

Adding, We came out sharp and on the front foot, but a couple of moments in the second half flipped the game. We made mistakes, and we have ourselves to blame.”

When asked what Chelsea could have done better, James was blunt:

“Keep the ball out of the net. It’s as simple as that. One error led to the corner, another led to Ollie’s first goal. Two mistakes, and we got punished. This is the toughest league in the world, and we need to look at ourselves.”

James’ candid reflections highlight the heartbreak of Stamford Bridge fans and the harsh reality of Premier League football—domination doesn’t guarantee victory, and even small lapses can cost dearly.