Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta says they've found a way to play successfully without Eden Hazard this season.

Hazard left the Blues for Real Madrid last summer.

And after victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, fullback Azpilicueta declared: “We lost a very important player, of course, but we had a challenge, we started in pre-season and we've worked hard.

“Maybe people didn't expect us to be where we are but if we are there it is because we deserve to be there.

“We're in a good position. Now it's time to finish the job. It's in our hands. It's up to us to take it and finish where we want to finish."