Why Chelsea were awarded indirect free-kick vs Aston Villa as back pass rule explained

Chelsea made a blistering start to their Premier League clash against Aston Villa, with Nicolas Jackson scoring after just five minutes, and it should have been two before the half hour mark. For his eighth goal of the season, Jackson expertly met Marc Cucurella's cross with his effort going off the post and in.

While the Blues dominated proceedings, Ollie Watkins should actually have levelled, but his close-range shot was saved well by Robert Sanchez. Just moments later, Cole Palmer stole possession back in a dangerous area with his effort saved down to his left by Emi Martinez.

The Villa goalkeeper quickly got up to his feet to collect the loose ball, but Pau Torres touched it just before he got his hands to it, and thus referee Stuart Atwell was left with no choice but to award an indirect free-kick. Arguments over who was going to take the set-piece followed with Palmer seemingly pulling rank.

As players cannot shoot directly from it, Enzo Fernandez laid him off, but the Blues' talisman saw his attempt saved by the sprawling arm of Martinez. Romeo Lavia then saw his rebound blocked, with Villa eventually able to clear the danger.

While Villa complained about the decision, the IFAB rules clearly state what constitutes an indirect free-kick being given. On the FA website under Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct, it reads: "An indirect free kick is awarded if a goalkeeper, inside their penalty area, commits any of the following offences:

• Controls the ball with the hand/arm for more than six seconds before releasing it.
• Touches the ball with the hand/arm after releasing it and before it has touched another player
• touches the ball with the hand/arm, unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or attempted to kick the ball to release it into play, after:
• • it has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate
  • receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate

As Pau's touch was not incidental, Martinez picking up the ball correctly resulted in Chelsea being awarded an indirect free-kick. Though the Blues did not take advantage of that opportunity, Enzo Fernandez doubled his side's lead just before half time after great work in the build up by Palmer.

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