Chelsea vs Aston Villa result: Player ratings as Anwar El Ghazi nets again to cancel out Olivier Giroud header

Chelsea

Edouard Mendy – 5: Saved well from Grealish early on, but was almost caught out on the ball later and also failed to claim a cross in a nervy moment. Will be disappointed to have let El Ghazi squeeze a finish between his legs.

Cesar Azpilicueta – 6: Disciplined showing from the Blues’ captain – who was unlucky to be booked – until a lack of communication with Kante for Villa’s equaliser.

Antonio Rudiger – 6: In a rare start this season, the centre-back looked alert and dealt fairly well with Villa’s attacks.

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Andreas Christensen – 6: Similarly to Rudiger, Christensen did well considering his lack of game time this term. Was down injured when the equaliser came.

Ben Chilwell – 8: Frequently involved on the left, energetic from start to finish. Tidy crosses, one of which assisted Giroud.

N’Golo Kante – 6: Generally a typical Kante performance, in a positive sense, but could have done more to stop El Ghazi as the Villa man equalised.

Jorginho – 6: Sat deep and looked to dictate play, his distribution improving as the game wore on.

Mason Mount – 7: As usual, the midfielder’s application couldn’t be doubted. Showed good strength and balance with a few of his runs.

Christian Pulisic – 6: Frequently in good positions, frequently missing the finishing touch.

Olivier Giroud – 8: Did well in helping his team-mates to defend set-pieces, and nodded a smart header past Martinez to give Chelsea the lead.

Callum Hudson-Odoi – 7: Bright showing last time out bled into this game; showed plenty of endeavour in his running and range in his passing.

Substitutes: Havertz – 6; Werner 6.

Aston Villa

Emi Martinez – 7: Composed throughout and commanding when he needed to be. Could do little about Giroud’s smart header, and denied Hudson-Odoi well in the second half.

Matty Cash – 7: Defended bravely, as shown when he took a Pulisic boot to the head in the first half, and crossed incisively to assist El Ghazi. Was let down by Traore for Giroud’s goal.

Ezri Konsa – 6: Aerial threat of Giroud caused the centre-back some issues.

Kortney Hause – 6: Similarly to Konsa, the central defender found Giroud a bit of a handful.

Matt Targett – 6: Up against the lively Hudson-Odoi, the full-back struggled at times. Won a few of those battles as well, however.

Douglas Luiz – 7: Calm and confident on the ball in the middle of the pitch for the visitors. Began to inject more urgency after the break.

John McGinn – 8: Blocked well to deny Pulisic in the Villa box in the first half, and worked hard to aid his team’s attacks. Smashed the crossbar from range in the second half.

Bertrand Traore – 6: Great interception and crossfield pass in an impressive moment in the opening minute or so. Let Chilwell run free for Chelsea’s opener, though.

Jack Grealish – 6: Plenty of initiative from the England midfielder, as usual, as well as quick-thinking during set-pieces at times. Did, however, almost gift Chelsea a goal with an unusual back pass.

Anwar El Ghazi – 8: Worked hard and scored a fifth goal in as many games with a controlled finish at the back post after finding space.

Ollie Watkins – 7: Once again the forward was vibrant and industrious, though he was isolated in certain periods of the match.

Substitutes: Davis – 6; Ramsey – 6.