Credit: Imago, BBC Match of the Day

Evan Lloyd

Thu 5 March 2026 11:59, UK

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Micah Richards was full of praise for hat-trick hero Joao Pedro after Chelsea thumped Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

The Blues rode out 4-1 winners on the night to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive.

Pedro starred with a stunning hat-trick, and the Brazilian picked up an assist for Cole Palmer’s goal, as well.

Villa had opened the scoring through Douglas Luiz, but appeared to lose all of their bite as the game drew on.

Chelsea lost ground in the Champions League race when they lost to Arsenal on Sunday, but Wednesday’s win has placed them within striking distance of the top four.

Micah Richards impressed by ‘brilliant’ Joao Pedro’s movement

Both Pedro and Liam Delap arrived at Chelsea in the summer, and the pair could not have experienced a more different opening season.

Pedro’s goals on Wednesday were 15th, 16th, and 17th of the season, while Delap, who played just five minutes, is yet to find his third.

Former Everton chief Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider that Delap may join Everton this summer, such has his move to Stamford Bridge gone awry.

Pedro, on the other hand, exhibited his quality once again on Wednesday. The 24-year-old surged past Ezri Konsa to tap in Malo Gusto’s cross for his first, and did similarly to cap off his hat-trick in the second half.

It was his second goal that stole the attention, however, with the Brazil international dinking a delightful chip over Emi Martinez to put Chelsea ahead before the break.

Speaking about Pedro to BBC Match of the Day on Wednesday, Richards said: “He was absolutely sensational today. But what I liked the most about him is his movement.

“When you’re a defender, he’s very difficult. He always gets in between centre-halves, so when you’re a defender, you concentrate on the ball, he’s either in front of you or behind you and it’s intelligent play.”

“Playing up against someone like him is so difficult,” he added. “Technically he’s good, he’s good in the air, he’s fast enough and then that clever movement around you, it’s very difficult.”

What Liam Rosenior said about ‘magnificent’ Pedro

There was a period earlier in the season in which Pedro was being heavily criticised for his performances.

Since Liam Rosenior was named in charge of Chelsea in January, however, the striker has exploded into incredible form.

In just 12 appearances since the new Blues boss arrived, Pedro has scored an incredible 10 goals and has provided two assists.

“He’s a top player,” said Rosenior after Wednesday’s match. “I think he’s growing in confidence. His goal with the left foot is world-class. The finish is magnificent.

“But actually, I’m really delighted with his two tap ins that he got. He was in the right place at the right time.”