Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea Player Ratings: Marcus Rashford steals the show after coming off the bench

Aston Villa have turned things around and beaten Chelsea 2-1 at Villa Park. The home side were down 1-0 at halftime but managed to bounce back to win in the second half.

Enzo Fernandez scored the opening goal for Chelsea inside the first 10 minutes thanks to a superb run from Pedro Neto. The Portuguese star got behind the Villa defense and got the ball back in for the Argentine midfielder to tap the ball in.

Marcus Rashford came on at halftime and changed the game for the home side. He assisted both goals and that was enough to get them all three points.

For the first goal, Cash played in a brilliant cross over the Chelsea defenders to try and find Rashford at the far post. Gusto, who was caught napping, did his best to get back and block but his touch saw the ball land at Rashford’s feet. The Manchester United loanee put the ball across the goal and Asensio tapped it in.

Rashford created the second goal as well with a sharp cross into a crowded box, but Asensio’s shot was weak and straight at the goalkeeper. However, the Chelsea goalkeeper let the ball slip between his hands and the Villa side managed to make it 2-1 in the 90th minute and seal the win.

Chelsea failed to create a real chance in the second half, and their only good effort on target came from Palmer, who failed to make the most of Emi Martinez’s slip.

Aston Villa Player Ratings

GK – Emiliano Martinez – 7.5

He made decent saves in the game and was not punished when he slipped at the edge of the box. He will be a relieved man today thanks to Konsa, who made the block on the line.

RB – Matty Cash – 7

He was unable to do much in the game as he was struggling against Marc Cucurella every time he went up the pitch. He was hooked off in the 70th minute and that was a big change that helped Aston Villa get more control of the game.

CB – Ezri Konsa – 8

His block on the goalline kept Aston Villa level in the match and that was a key moment in the game. He was brilliant in dealing with the Chelsea forwards and and helped the home side keep control of the ball.

CB – Tyrone Mings – 7

He did well today but was forced off injured. There was very little for him to do defensively as most of Chelsea’s attacks were from the flanks.

LB – Ian Maatsen – 6.5

He had a point to prove against his former side and did well. He closed down Cole Palmer well and was attacking the space between him and Gusto throughout the match.

CDM – John McGinn – 7

He was lucky to stay on the pitch for the whole game. He was committing a lot of fouls, but the referee seemed to be giving him a free run at things.

CDM – Youri Tielemans – 7

He was all over the pitch today and ready to help his teammates. Created a couple of chances and also stopped several attacks.

RM – Morgan Rogers – 7

He was decent today but not his best. Struggled against Marc Cucurella and could not create a lot of chances.

CAM – Marco Asensio – 9

Scored both goals for Aston Villa today and helped them win. However, it would come as a surprise to many as he is still not the best player on the pitch. Apart from the goals, he was having a very iffy game and struggled.

LM – Jacob Ramsey – 6.5

Struggled to do anything significant in the first half and was taken off at halftime.

ST – Ollie Watkins – 7.5

The Villa forward was not getting much help from the midfielders today but still managed to get a couple of shots away. He could not get on the scoresheet but help the Chelsea defenders in check.

SUB – Marcus Rashford – 9.5

Impact substitution at halftime helped Aston Villa get back in the game. He was making the most of the space left behind by Gusto and got the assist for both goals in the match. He was creating chances at will and also came close to scoring multiple times.

SUB – Lamare Bogarde – 6

Came on for Tyrone Mings and handled the Chelsea forwards well.

SUB – Andres Garcia – 6.5

Played over 20 minutes but hardly got on the ball. He had a lot more to do in his own half than the attack.

SUB – Leon Bailey – 5

Came on for the final 15 minutes and came close to scoring too. However, his shot was easily saved by Jorgensen.

SUB – Donyell Malen – 5

Played just over 10 minutes and should have scored just before Aston Villa got the winner today. Rashford played in a superb ball but the shot was saved by Jorgensen.

Manager – Unai Emery – 8

He made a mistake at the start as Chelsea ran the shot in the first half. However, his substitutions were spot on and that helped the home side change the game.

Chelsea Player Ratings

GK – Filip Jorgensen – 5

He was having a decent game but then missed the ball completely from an easy collect and the ball rolled in for Aston Villa’s second goal. Made 4 good saves in the game, but will be remembered as the reason for Chelsea’s loss today.

RB – Malo Gusto – 7.5

He was all over the right flank today and did well in the first half to deal with Ramsey. He was caught napping just before the hour mark and it helped Aston Villa score their goal.

CB – Trevoh Chalobah – 6

He could not do much today as he got injured very early in the game. Played just 5 minutes before he crashed on the pitch and that was it for him in the game.

CB – Levi Colwill – 7.5

A decent match from the Chelsea youngster after a long time. He was solid at the back while dealing with Ollie Watkins and was managing the backline well.

LB – Marc Cucurella – 7.5

Another good display from the Spaniard this season. He was doing well against the Aston Villa forwards and managed to keep them in check for most of the game.

CDM – Reece James – 7.5

He was played in a different role today and impressed. He had a couple of sloppy moments, but there was more good than bad from the Chelsea captain today.

CDM – Moises Caicedo – 7.5

He was ready to close down the Aston Villa players at any cost. A couple of fouls here and there but overall, he was solid once again.

RW – Cole Palmer – 7

He kept trying to score and create chances but got very little help. He slipped just before shooting from his best chance while his chances went out as nobody read his passes well.

CAM – Enzo Fernandez – 7.5

He was given the freedom to roam today and he made the most of it. ScoedScored from inside the six-yard box early in the game and was making good late runs into the box until the very end.

LW – Christoper Nkunku – 5

No goal or assist once again and he seems to have checked out of the club already. Nothing seems to be clicking for the Frenchman – not from the left flank nor when he is played centrally.

ST – Pedro Neto – 8

Chelsea’s best player today by a mile. He was making the runs and trying to create chances from the very start. He got the assist for the goal, but in the second half, he was hardly found by his teammates nor were they getting close to him to linkup.

SUB – Tosin Adarabioyo – 4.5

He was shocking today after coming on early in the game. Almost felt like he was physically on the pitch but mentally still chilling on the bench.

SUB – Jadon Sancho – 5

Came on for the final 15 minutes of the match and did absolutely nothing. Completed 3 passes and got 7 touches when he was brought on to help Chelsea win the game.

Manager – Enzo Maresca – 6

He set the team up well but did not make the right tweaks in the game. In-game management cost Chelsea big time today while Unai Emery kept making changes.

Sportdunia’s Player of the Match goes to – Marcus Rashford