Player ratings as hosts owned by Villans

Chelsea played a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Monday night as the visitors moved up to fifth in the Premier League table, while the hosts have now won just one of their last four .

Villa struggled to start in the first half and looked under par which saw Olivier Giroud open the scoring with a bowed head after a perfect cross from Ben Chilwell. The Frenchman has now scored in seven successive games against the Midlands Club.

Anwar El Ghazi pulled his level aside after converting a Matty Cash cross to the back post shortly after the restart, which gave his side a boost. Villa looked at a different team in the second half and moved the ball faster, with Jack Grealish involved in a number of their best shots.

Chelsea, on the other hand, looked less aggressive after the break and often ran out of ideas in the third striker. Timo Werner and Kai Havertz saw a lot of ball after arriving, but couldn’t find a way through. They had chances, but it was one of those days for Lampard’s men.

Let’s move on to some player ratings.

Édouard Mendy (GK) – 7/10 – Enjoyed a comfortable game before conceding to El Ghazi, who was in acres of space at the back post. He was muscular for the goal and should have done better.

Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) – 6/10 – threw a few balls into the box in the first half and was a good offensive outlet for Chelsea.

Andreas Christensen (CB) – 6/10 – Was knocked down by Grealish in preparation for the equalizer, but Villa continued to play and the referee decided there was no foul.

Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 7/10 – Saw a big chunk of the ball as Chelsea played from behind and delivered a performance he can be proud of.

Ben Chilwell (LB) – 8/10 – Teed Chelsea’s first game after a cross shot back chose Giroud perfectly. His influence grew as the game progressed. A deep volley in the stoppage time came within inches of stealing all three points.

N’Golo Kante (CM) – 7/10 – Usually effective in regaining possession and putting your team on the front foot. Reserve.

Jorginho (CM) – 6/10 – Helped dictate play when Chelsea played from behind. The influence waned, however, and he was substituted in the second half.

Mason Mount (CM) – 6/10 – Had a chance to double his team’s lead in the first half but put a left-footed shot well over the bar after working some space . Missed his usual reliable delivery of set pieces and wasted a number of dead ball opportunities.

Christian Pulisic (RW) – 7/10 – Had a great chance to put his side forward after a sloppy pass from Grealish but hit the side net. He was quick on the ball but lacked composure when it came to finishing.

Olivier Giroud (ST) – 7/10 – Gave his team the advantage after guiding a bowed header home after a Chilwell cross on the left flank. Was replaced by Timo Werner after picking up a yellow card.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (LW) – 6/10 – Performed well with defenders but often lacked a final product.

Timo Werner (ST) – 6/10 – Kicked off the bar after the ball fell into the box. Its drought target continues.

Kai Havertz (AM) – 6/10 – Stepped into the number ten role after arriving and played just ahead of Kante and Mount as Chelsea went from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1.

Emiliano Martinez (GK) – 7/10 – Read some of Chelsea’s efforts well and appeared to have a pair of sure hands in the net. Making a comfortable save thanks to Kante’s effort from outside the area in the second half.

Matty Cash (RB) – 7/10 – Took a hit to the head in the first half after Pulisic caught it on an attempted high kick. Pick El Ghazi at the back post to bring Villa up to level.

Kortney Hause (CB) – 7/10 – Did well after coming in for suspended Tyrone Mings and developed in the game.

Ezri Konsa (CB) – 6/10 – Was a spectator as Giroud led Chelsea in the lead but recovered in a confident display.

Matt Targett (LB) – 6/10 – did well to keep Hudson-Odoi at bay and used his experience when he was in possession close to his goal.

Douglas Luiz (CM) – 6/10 – Struggled to make an impact in midfield and was limited to very little time on the ball. Clean and tidy when he got it, though.

John McGinn (CM) – 8/10 – Was combative in midfield and showed a lot of fighting for his team. Hit the bar with a thunderous effort on his 30-yard left foot. He was box-to-box throughout the game. Engine.

Jack Grealish (AM) – 7/10 – Was lively in the early stages and was turned down by Mendy from the start. He helped move his team forward and won a number of fouls at the top of the pitch.

Bertrand Traoré (RW) – 6/10 – Didn’t have as big an influence on the game as in recent weeks. The game often overtook him and he was unable to make great inroads.

Anwar El Ghazi (LW) – 7/10 – A well-worked cornering routine nearly saw El Ghazi give his side after the header after being spotted on the edge of the box by Grealish. He trailed his team with his fifth goal in five games before being substituted ten minutes from time.

Ollie Watkins (ST) – 6/10 – Made an ambitious effort over the bar in the first half and often struggled to make an impact.

Jacob Ramsey (AM) – N / A – Almost coiled an effort into the far corner just seconds after arriving. What an introduction that would have been.

Keinan Davis (ST) – N / A