Chelsea player ratings vs Aston Villa: Conor Gallagher salvages draw for Jekyll & Hyde Blues as Cole Palmer puts in a rare poor display

After a difficult week, Chelsea showed some fight to earn themselves a point at Aston Villa that could yet prove crucial in their fight for European qualification. Mauricio Pochettino’s side came from 2-0 down at half-time to secure a 2-2 draw against Unai Emery’s Champions League hopefuls.

The Blues were looking to bounce back from their chastening defeat to Arsenal last time out, but made the worst possible start when Marc Cucurella diverted John McGinn’s scuffed shot into his own net inside the opening four minutes.

The visitors looked to battle back, and Nicolas Jackson came closest to equalising when he hit the post with a header, but Chelsea found themselves two goals down before half-time as Morgan Rogers was allowed to cut inside onto his right foot and fire a low shot into the bottom corner.

Chelsea were dominant after the break as Pochettino made a couple of tactical tweaks, and their improved display was rewarded around the hour-mark as Conor Gallagher won the ball back on the edge of the Villa box, and the ball was worked to Noni Madueke to curl home. Gallagher then produced a moment of magic with 10 minutes to play, as he whipped a 20-yard effort into the top corner.

Pochettino’s team even thought they’d won it right at the death when substitute Axel Disasi headed home in stoppage-time, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review thanks to a shove from Benoit Badiashile in the build-up, and the Blues were forced to settle for a point.

We rates Chelsea’s players from Villa Park…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Djordje Petrovic (6/10):

Had no chance with the opening goal, but will be disappointed to be beaten at his near post by Rogers. Did make a decent save to deny Watkins in the first half.

Trevoh Chalobah (4/10):

Deployed as a narrow right-back, but didn’t seem to fully understand where he was meant to be when Villa attacked. Will feel he could have done better for both goals.

Thiago Silva (6/10):

Beaten for pace on one occasion by Watkins, but an assured presence in defence otherwise. Limped off late on.

Benoit Badiashile (6/10):

Looked much more comfortable next to Thiago Silva having struggled so much at Arsenal. Punished for his slight shove at the death when Chelsea thought they’d won it.

Marc Cucurella (6/10):

Could do little about his own goal, though he wasn’t great from a defensive point of view. Did offer a fair bit in attack, both out wide in the first half and in a more inverted role after the break.

Midfield

Moises Caicedo (7/10):

An encouraging display with the ball, as he looked to play incisive passes and posed something of a threat around the edge of the box. Was caught on the wrong side of the ball when defending a couple of times, but made some crunching challenges to win the ball back.

Conor Gallagher (7/10):

Lacked quality in the first half, even if he worked tirelessly. Managed to put everything together after the break, however, as his excellent pressing led to Madueke’s goal before his superb finish levelled the scores.

Cole Palmer (4/10):

Returned from illness but not at his best as Villa largely crowded him out. Set-pieces were disappointing before he missed a huge chance to win it in stoppage-time.

Attack

Noni Madueke (7/10):

A real game of two halves. Forced to hug the touchline in the first half, and he was guilty of not tracking back for both Villa goals. Moved inside after the break and instantly became Chelsea’s most dangerous attacker, with his goal a superb finish.

Nicolas Jackson (6/10):

Ran himself into the ground and unfortunate that a fine finish was ruled out for offside. Should have scored with a free header that hit the post.

Mykhailo Mudryk (3/10):

Struggled to get himself into the game, while his final ball was constantly lacking. A first-half shot that almost hit the corner flag summed up his performance.

Subs & Manager

Cesare Casadei (N/A):

Thrown on in the final minute.

Axel Disasi (N/A):

Almost the hero with his stoppage-time header that was controversially ruled out.

Mauricio Pochettino (7/10):

Didn’t get his set up right in the first half, but deserves huge credit for both the tactical tweaks he made and how he was able to encourage his players to battle back.