Pedro Neto superb, Christopher Nkunku terrible: Chelsea ratings vs Aston Villa
Chelsea let a 1-0 lead slip to lose 2-1 to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday (22 February) as their season continues to falter.
It was the visitors who took the early lead inside the opening ten minutes of the game, Enzo Fernandez firing in a pull-back from Pedro Neto.
That was a deserved lead for Chelsea, and although Aston Villa would improve as the game went on, they were unable to find an equaliser as Enzo Maresca‘s side took a 1-0 lead into half-time.
The hosts though levelled on 57 minutes, as Marcus Rashford knocked back a ball across the face of goal for Marco Asensio to tap home after VAR intervened to give the goal following an offside flag.
Things got even worse for Chelsea with just two minutes of normal time remaining, when Villa went in front after Jorgensen failed to hold a shot from a corner that was straight at him from Asensio.
With that proving enough to secure all three points for the hosts, this proved to be another night to forget for the Stamford Bridge club.
Here is a look at how Football Insider rated the performance of the Chelsea squad against Unai Emery’s side.
Filip Jorgensen howler proves costly
Filip Jorgensen 4
Jorgensen is now established as first-choice goalkeeper for Chelsea, but he will be furious and likely face questions after he failed to hold Asensio’s second.
Malo Gusto 6
Got a touch but not enough on the cross from which Emery’s side equalised, although the right-back otherwise did seem to do his job reasonably well.
Trevoh Chalobah (off for Tosin, ‘8) 5
A regular since returning to Chelsea from a loan spell at Crystal Palace last month, that may now change after he was forced off with just a matter of minutes on the clock.
Levi Colwill 7
A steady if unspectacular performance from the centre-back which may have been needed after some of his recent performances.
Marc Cucurella 6
Had a few good moments from a defensive point of view, but failed to get forward as much as some of those on the opposite side.
Reece James 7
Back in the Chelsea side and playing a more advanced role, where he did reasonably to help the flow of things moving forward in the first half in particular.
Moises Caicedo 6
A tough assignment for the Equador international with James drifting wide and Fernandez playing further forward, which arguably helped Villa start to dominate the centre of the pitch.
Cole Palmer struggles continue for Chelsea
Cole Palmer 5
Chelsea fans have wondered what is happening to Palmer under Maresca and this won’t have answered any questions. Relatively quiet and when he did get possession things did not come off for him, especially when he had a huge chance to make it 2-1 cleared off the line with Villa ‘keeper Martinez stranded.
Enzo Fernandez 6
Showed some good instincts playing in an advanced role to get on the end of Neto’s pull-back to open the scoring, but struggled to influence things after that.
Christopher Nkunku (off for Sancho, ’77) 4
Nowhere near as involved as those other Chelsea attackers, and even when he did get possession failed to create anything either for himself or his teammates, which will be frustrating given the need for results.
| Chelsea last five games | Result |
| Aston Villa (A) | Lost 2-1 |
| Brighton (A) | Lost 3-0 |
| Brighton (A) | Lost 2-1 |
| West Ham (H) | Won 2-1 |
| Man City (A) | Lost 3-1 |
Pedro Neto 8
A brilliant run and cut-back to assist the goal for Fernandez, played in a central role and offered a good outlet for his team throughout much of the game.
Substitutes
Tosin (on for Chalobah, ‘8) 7
Thrown on early following the injury to Chalobah, but slotted in nicely to the Chelsea back line.
Jadon Sancho (on for Nkunku, ’77) 5
Came on late but like Nkunku struggled to offer much of an option from the left.