Liam Rosenior reveals coaching advice helping 'warrior' Joao Pedro to fire after stunning Premier League hat-trick for Chelsea against Aston Villa

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Joao Pedro put on a masterclass of finishing as Chelsea swept Aston Villa aside with a statement Premier League victory on Wednesday night. Head coach Liam Rosenior described his striker as "scary" and a "warrior", after he became the first player in the top flight this season to register four goal contributions in a single game. Pedro now has 17 goals for the season in all competitions.

Hat-trick hero Pedro basks in 'special' night for Chelsea at Villa

Video credit: TNT Sports

Liam Rosenior labelled Chelsea striker Joao Pedro a "warrior" after his hat-trick in Wednesday night's emphatic 4-1 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The Brazil international took his tally for the season to 17 with a display of clinical finishing at Villa Park as Chelsea moved above Liverpool into fifth in the battle for UEFA Champions League qualification.

And Rosenior was effusive in his praise of Pedro, revealing how the pair's training-ground work is paying off.

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"Scary. His mentality, he's a warrior," the Chelsea head coach told TNT Sports.

"He's a fantastic footballer, he's strong, physical. We've worked a lot with him about his positioning in the box and two of his goals I'm delighted with, because they're in the six-yard box and that's where strikers get goals.

"We know he's an outstanding player and, for me, he's got even more to go, which is even better for us."

'Warrior' Pedro is 'scary' and can get even better, says Rosenior

Video credit: TNT Sports

It was a first Premier League hat-trick for Pedro, who has gone from strength to strength since joining Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer.

He provided the assist for Cole Palmer's goal against Villa, too, and in doing so became the first player to be directly involved in four goals in a single Premier League game this season.

Joao Pedro's heat map against Aston Villa

Image credit: Opta

Pedro is also the eighth Brazilian to score a hat-trick in the top flight and the seventh visiting player to score three goals in a game at Villa Park in the Premier League.

"A special night for me," Pedro told TNT Sports. "I was waiting for this time and my hat-trick came in the right moment after the loss against Arsenal. I'm very happy to score my first hat-trick.

"I work a lot to be ready for this moment. I have great players around me, so I always try to be in the right place."

Highlights: Pedro hits treble as Chelsea inflict more pain on Villa

Video credit: TNT Sports

The 24-year-old was so delighted after netting his third goal of the evening that he put on a samba show in celebration.

"Reece [James] always tells me to dance," he added. "Today was a special day, that's why I did a small samba."

Pedro has proved particularly effective against Villa, scoring five goals in six Premier League appearances against Unai Emery's side.

He was helped by some excellent build-up play from Chelsea's creators, including Alejandro Garnacho, who also earned praise from Rosenior after providing the assist for Pedro's final goal.

"He was outstanding," Rosenior said of the Argentine winger. "I've had a lot of conversations with him.

"I knew he'd play well tonight because of how he's trained the last two weeks. He's been disappointed not to play and he should be, in a really positive way, but he's shown that in his training and he put that into practice today."

Chelsea are next in action against Championship side Wrexham in the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday, before travelling to France for the first leg of their UEFA Championship League last 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain - with both games live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Men's and Women's FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

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