Chelsea have been handed a huge blow to any hope they once had of finishing in the top-four following a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa. The Blues have now slipped into the bottom half of the Premier League, casting fresh doubt over Graham Potter's future in the dugout.
Ollie Watkins put the visitors ahead inside the opening 20 minutes after latching on to a misplaced header from Marc Cucurella. He capitalised on the Spaniard's mistake before looping the ball over Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was rooted to the spot.
The England international could have very easily put the Villans ahead moments earlier had he not dragged an uncontested effort wide. Chelsea had their fair shares of chances; Mykhailo Mudryk squandered a pair of big chances and Ben Chilwell had a goal ruled out for an adjudged foul on Ashley Young.
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However, Chelsea couldn't take advantage of their opportunities and John McGinn eventually put the result beyond any doubt as the Scotsman rifled a great strike past Kepa from long-range to double Villa's lead.
The Blues are now 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham and, with numerous difficult games left to play, Potter is looking for a miracle. So, with that said, football.london has taken a look at Chelsea's next five fixtures as Potter faces the impossible mission of transforming his fortunes.
Liverpool (H) – Premier League – April 4
In a battle of two sides having equally poor seasons, Jurgen Klopp's inconsistent Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge. The Reds had an extended period off over the international break due to FA Cup fixture clashes for their scheduled opponents, giving them an extra few days to get over a Champions League loss to Real Madrid.
The Reds dropped to eighth in the league after Saturday's 4-1 drubbing at Manchester City, seven points off Tottenham with a game in hand.
Wolves (A) – Premier League – April 8
The Blues have a kinder match next up but it doesn't mean it will be any easier. As they found with the resilience of Everton at Stamford Bridge and the home defeat to Villa, such is the condensed nature of the bottom half, lots of teams still have plenty to play for.
It can be a challenge therefore to match the desire and ambitions of sides playing for safety whereby Chelsea's season is effectively how long they can go in the Champions League. Facing 13th placed Wolves is unlikely to be any different.
Real Madrid (A) – Champions League – April 12
In a repeat of last season's quarter-final tie, Chelsea meet the holders once more. Having faced off in each of the past three seasons this is set to be Potter's biggest test in charge so far. Los Blancos are serial European trophy winners and are well amongst the favourites to retain their title.
Going deep into the tournament is all that remains for something to be salvaged for Chelsea, not being cut adrift after the first leg, like they were last season, would be a result from this game.
Brighton (H) – Premier League – April 15
When Chelsea last locked horns with Brighton, the Seagulls ran riot on the south coast and put four past Potter's side. The Blues will be desperate to set the record straight when they welcome Roberto De Zerbi to Stamord Bridge, though it could be a difficult task.
This tie is just one of several fixtures in April where emotions will run high for Chelsea. If Potter is still in the dugout, he'll be hoping that his players can hold their nerve and right their wrongs while under immense pressure.
Real Madrid (H) – Champions League – April 18
The pressure of the second-leg against Real Madrid is hugely dependant on the score following the first-leg. If Chelsea can stay in the tie at the Santiago Bernabeu then Stamford Bridge will be rocking, which makes for a spectacular occasion.
However, if Los Blacos run riot in the Spanish capital then this fixture could end up being an irrelevance.
Liverpool next five fixtures:
Chelsea (A) - April 4
Arsenal (H) - April 9
Leeds (A) - April 17
Nottingham Forest (H) - April 22
West Ham (A) - April 26
Manchester United next five fixtures:
Newcastle (A) - April 2
Brentford (H) - April 5
Everton (H) - April 8
Sevilla (H) - Europa League - April 13
Nottingham Forest (A) - April 16
Tottenham next five fixtures:
Everton (A) - April 3
Brighton (H) - April 8
Bournemouth (H) - April 15
Newcastle (A) - April 23
Manchester United (H) - April 27
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