Chelsea have thrown away three points against Aston Villa.
We’re approaching the halfway point in the Premier League, and the title picture is now truly starting to form. Chelsea came into this tie seven points behind Villa, knowing that a win would be huge for their season.
Joao Pedro opened the scoring off a Reece James corner that was a stroke of luck for the Blues, but the least they deserved after a dominant first 45.
But they let Villa back into the game, and an Ollie Watkins goal on the hour mark made it 1-1. It wasn’t a goal that will madden Enzo Maresca, but going on to concede a second not long after will have had the Italian fuming in the stands.
Chelsea drop a huge three points 😑
What has disappointed you most about the performance?
Chelsea lose to Aston Villa
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
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Chelsea player ratings vs Aston Villa
Robert Sanchez – 6
It was a relatively routine night for Sanchez until the hour mark, when Villa grew into the game. He was sharp in coming out on Boubacar Kamara to deny him, but was unlucky minutes later when Ollie Watkins had his effort bobble in after an initial save.
While the capitulation is disappointing, it’s hard to find much fault with the Chelsea keeper.
Reece James – 6
James found himself in and around the goals again this weekend, delivering a beautifully troublesome corner delivery that only needed the lightest of connections with Pedro’s calf to give the Blues a first-half lead.
Trevoh Chalobah – 5
Whoever Maresca might choose to pair with him, it’s becoming clear that Chalobah is Chelsea’s starting centre-back. He didn’t give an inch and was first to every ball in the air.
But conceding two in the second half means none of the Chelsea defenders can be too happy with their performance.
Benoit Badiashile – 5
Maresca made a big change at the back with Badiashile, but the Frenchman held his own. Same as Chalobah, though. Can’t be that good when you lose a lead.
Marc Cucurella – 5
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-ASTON VILLA
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
Rogers more often occupied Cucurella’s flank, but that wasn’t much easier. The Spaniard was clearly getting under his opponent’s skin, as he often does, which was apparent from the Villa star shoving him to the ground in the opening stages.
Moises Caicedo – 5
Caicedo had a quiet night by his standards.
Enzo Fernandez – 5
Enzo could have done better with the couple of chances that fell his way.
Pedro Neto – 5
There were numerous times when Neto had options all around him in the final third, but it was one of those evenings where he couldn’t find them.
Cole Palmer – 5
Palmer wasn’t great against Newcastle and looked a step off the pace, but the first five minutes against Villa painted a very different picture. He looked better, which is a rare source of encouragement from Villa’s visit.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Garnacho is consistent in what he offers to this Chelsea side. He is always there on the left wing, offering an outlet, and he threatened to cause problems throughout. That said, he doesn’t fill you with confidence when he gets to that final action.
Joao Pedro – 6
The Brazilian didn’t know much about his goal, but it will count all the same. He was hassling Emi Martinez in the Villa goal and got his reward.
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-ASTON VILLA
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
Substitutions
Estevao Willian – 5
Jamie Gittens – 5
Malo Gusto – 5
No one was terrible, that’s the frustrating thing. It was just the definition of a 5/10 performance. 5/10 won’t keep you in a title race.
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