“He’s not on the same level with Saka for now…He needs TWO things to be on the same level with him”: Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca dismissed Palmer vs Saka’s comparison, names TWO THINGS Cole Palmer needs to learn from Saka before he can climb the top

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca claims his side are not Premier League title contenders despite moving level on points with second-placed Arsenal after hammering Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

Despite the claims of the Italian, on the evidence of this display they have to be in the conversation for a first title push since their last success in 2016/17 under Antonio Conte.

But Maresca said: “I think we are not ready to compete with Arsenal, Liverpool and City for many reasons and because we won today I am not going to change my mind.

“But the good thing is we are improving and hopefully very soon we will be there.

“This was a very good game for many reasons, one is that we played a team that is fantastic and I consider Emery to be a top manager.

“He has won trophies everywhere and is doing something fantastic at Villa but also we prepared well for the game and deserved to win.

“We have to live moments to get better these players, some of them in their lives they have played one final and that was the Carabao Cup last year.

“That is the most important game they have played.

“Arsenal, Liverpool and City’s players have all played finals and been in title runs.

“We will be there soon but that is why we are not ready to compete with those clubs.”

First-half goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez and a wonderful curling effort from Cole Palmer six minutes from time extended Villa’s woeful run of form to eight games in all competitions without a win.

Chelsea got off to the perfect start after seven minutes when Nicolas Jackson side-footed home from close range after Marc Cucerella robbed the ball from Jaden Philogene, exchanged passes with Jadon Sancho then crossed the Senegal striker to score off the post.

Ollie Watkins, who’d scored on his previous two visits to Stamford Bridge that Villa had won, had a great opportunity to score when he beat Wesely Fofana but shot straight at the advancing Sanchez Midway through the first half there was the remarkable sight of the entire Villa team camped inside their own six-yard box after referee Stuart Attwell penalised Emi Martinez for picking up a back-pass from Pau Torres.

However, Palmer’s venomous close-range was kept out by the Villa keeper who then almost gifted Jackson a second goal when he passed straight to the Chelsea striker who, seemingly surprised to have the ball at his feet, failed to react quick enough and the chance went begging.

Fernandez, restored to the team after being axed last month, continued his rejuvenation with his second goal in as many games when he struck a sweet half-volley from the edge of the box after exchanging passes with Palmer.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Chelsea dominating and Villa struggling to create any clear-cut chances.

Palmer, who was lively throughout, iced the victory in style with world-class curling finish from the edge of the box six minutes from time.

Villa host free-scoring Brentford on Wednesday and boss Unai Emery said his side need to rediscover their winning touch soon.

Chelsea today showed this year is different. They are feeling stronger, they don’t have doubts like last year. Their power and capacity is higher.

He said: “We have to try to keep balance. I know this year is going to be more difficult because some teams are feeling stronger, like Chelsea today.

“We are going to try to recover our confidence, everything we are doing — and as well trying to understand this year is more difficult.

“We need points, now thinking of the top eight and if we want to get top five. We have to come back with good results.

“This year has been different because we are not a surprise like last year. They [opponents] don’t have doubts now like they had last year. We were consistent last year with the same style and a lot of the same players.

“This year a lot of teams are facing us thinking we are a top-seven opponent. They are feeling better than last year, like Chelsea.”

“We have to keep calm. Thinking of the next match on Wednesday and trying to cut this spell.”

CHELSEA: Sanchez 6, Caicedo 7, Fofana 6 (Badiashile 58), Colwill 6, Cucerella 7; Fernandez 8, Lavia 7 (Gusto 87); Palmer 8 (Felix 87), Sancho 6 (Manueke 65), Neto 6; Jackson 7 (Nkunku 70).

VILLA: Martinez 6 (Olsen 45 5); Cash 5, Konsa 6, Pau Torres 5, Digne 5; Tielemans 5, Kamara 6 (Barkley 62); McGinn 6, Rogers 5 (Duran 65), Philagene 5 (Bailey 65); Watkins 6 (Buendia 87).