Our aim is to remain as competitive as possible and challenge strongly on all fronts. We will never forget the huge contribution he has made to this club's history and he will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge.
Many believe that this sacking has now cleared the way for either Pep Guardiola or Rafa Benitez to come in and try their hand at managing the side. But Ramires pulled a goal back before half-time and after Lionel Messi missed a penalty Fernando Torres sealed a famous night with his breakaway goal in the final moments.
Chelsea were flying high at the top of the Barclays Premier League table at the start of the season, dropping just two points in their opening eight games. New signings Eden Hazard and Oscar were revelling in their new surroundings in a potent trident of playmakers led by Juan Mata. Torres was even scoring, including a memorable strike after a one-two with Hazard against Newcastle. The first signpost towards Chelsea's ills in Europe this season came with a thumping Super Cup defeat to Atletico Madrid in August.
Madrid striker Radamel Falcao struck a hat-trick to immediately put himself on Chelsea's transfer radar. With three wins this calendar year and no away win since last August, entering the Championship on the back of picking up just 17 points last season, it's difficult to argue that Villa are still a side with a Premier League reputation. In fact, but for the goals of Christian Benteke, Villa could have easily fallen in each of the three seasons prior to their eventual demise. It could be argued Villa have been a Championship side since Aston Villa have sacked manager Roberto Di Matteo after just one win from their opening 12 matches.
When Sky Sports ' Ian Holloway made his predictions for the Championship season back in August, Villa were placed down in 16th, staggering Xia and fans alike. But that losing streak, that losing mentality taken from a dismal Premier League campaign, is not extinguished with the dropping down of a division.
This was always going to be a rebuild job, and both Di Matteo and Xia did what they could to manage the expectation of those expecting a quick return to the top flight. The new manager must do more of the same, go back to basics, and start with a victory of any kind, before Villa's position in the Championship comes under threat.
Search Sky Sports. Fill 2 Copy 11 Created with Sketch. It continued: "The owner and the board would like to thank Roberto for all he has done for the club since taking over in March. We will never forget the huge contribution he has made to this club's history and he will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge. Di Matteo rescued the club's ailing Champions League campaign and steered them to victory over Bayern Munich in the final on the German team's home ground, having already secured the FA Cup.
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