Aston Villa came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at Villa Park and keep their Champions League hopes alive.
Unai Emery‘s side fell behind after just nine minutes when Enzo Fernandez turned home Pedro Neto’s cross.
Marcus Rashford came off the bench to replace Jacob Ramsey at half-time and he proved to be pivotal as he setup Marcos Asensio’s close range finish before the hour mark.
And it was the same combination that earned Villa the win as Rashford’s cross was powered home by Marcos Asensio in the last minute.
Villa have moved up to seventh with the win and are just two points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who have played one game less.
Mail Sport’s TOM COLLOMOSSE was at Villa Park and he has rated both sets of players below…
Aston Villa came from behind to beat Chelsea at Villa Park in the race for Champions League
January signing Marcos Asensio proved pivotal as he scored a second-half brace
Aston Villa (4-4-1-1)
EMILIANO MARTINEZ 6
Neto’s cross flew past him for the opener, allowing Fernandez to convert inside the six-yard box. Slipped and was lucky not to concede a second to Palmer. Otherwise solid.
MATTY CASH 5
He didn’t know whether to mark Fernandez or Nkunku for the opener and ended up marking neither. A shaky display on his return to the starting XI.
EZRI KONSA 7.5
This mobile Chelsea front three would provide a working over for most defences but Konsa stood up pretty well and cleared off the line from Palmer as time ticked by.
TYRONE MINGS 6
Two important interventions early on to deny Neto, though he looked vulnerable when the Portugal forward ran at him. Was forced off injured early in the second half.
Ezri Konsa (right) stood up pretty well and cleared off the line from Cole Palmer’s effort
It was a shaky display by Matty Cash on his return to Aston Villa’s starting XI
IAN MAATSEN 5.5
Beaten too easily by Neto for Chelsea’s opener and did not make the most of his opportunities to attack down the left. Expect Lucas Digne to return soon.
MORGAN ROGERS 6.5
He has been shoved to the right to accommodate Asensio and it can make him less effective. Much better after the break when allowed to drift inside. Subbed soon after a heavy challenge from Nkunku.
JOHN McGINN 6.5
Struggled to find his position at first, meaning Fernandez found far too much room. Then he found his rhythm to ensure Caicedo could not have it all his own way. Booked.
YOURI TIELEMANS 6.5
His untidy passing early on was out of character and summed up Villa’s struggles in that phase of the game. Grew into it more after that.
JACOB RAMSEY 6
He can be a dangerous attacking midfielder both with and without the ball and we did not see enough of it before the break. Replaced by Rashford at half-time.
MARCO ASENSIO 7.5
Though the Spaniard is a super technician, he offers little defensively and that gave Villa an early problem. What does it matter, however, when you score two vital goals?
Asensio did not offer much defensively but he took the headlines with a brace
OLLIE WATKINS 6
Looked isolated for much of the game he did test Jorgensen at his near post and went close on two more occasions. Subbed.
SUBS
MARCUS RASHFORD 7.5
On at half-time for Ramsey, he showed impressive athleticism to turn the ball back for the equaliser and also set up the winner for Asensio. Decisive.
LAMARE BOGARDE 6
Stepped in for the injured Mings and nearly gave away a golden chance when a mix-up with Konsa could have let in Neto. Could have had a late penalty.
ANDRES GARCIA 6
Replaced Cash at right-back midway through the second half.
Marcus Rashford showed impressive athleticism to turn the ball back for the equaliser and also set up the winner for Asensio
LEON BAILEY 6
Joined the action with Malen as Villa tried to find a winner.
DONYELL MALEN 6
Came on for the hobbling Rogers and took Watkins’ place as Villa’s central attacker. Missed a great late chance.
Chelsea (4-3-3)
FILIP JORGENSEN 5
Saved well from Watkins at the near post but he flapped at a Maatsen cross. Crucial late stop from Malen spoiled by his howler for the winner.
MALO GUSTO 6.5
Found space to cross for a Fernandez header that flew just wide. Full of energy though often imprecise in both attack and defence.
TREVOH CHALOBAH 6
Lasted less than eight minutes as he was injured in a tussle with Asensio and had to be replaced by Tosin Adarabioyo.
LEVI COLWILL 7.5
Stood up well in the first half, winning important challenges in the air and making a good job of handling Watkins.
Filip Jorgensen had a howler for Villa’s winner as the ball slipped through his arms
Levi Colwill stood up well in the first half, winning important challenges in the air
MARC CUCURELLA 6
Made an important block to stop a Watkins shot testing Jorgensen. He generally dealt well with Rogers’ threat but was lucky not to give away a penalty for wrestling Bogarde.
REECE JAMES 6.5
Playing in an unusual role on the right of a midfield three, James made important contributions without the ball and was generally calm with it.
MOISES CAICEDO 7
Playing at the base of midfield, he was allowed to run the show early on as Asensio put him under no pressure. Found it tougher when McGinn snapped at his heels, however. Booked.
ENZO FERNANDEZ 7
Enjoyed himself enormously in the early stages. With Villa unsure who to mark him, the Argentine scored the opener and should have had a second. Booked.
COLE PALMER 5.5
Relatively quiet when Chelsea pushed forward though was very diligent without the ball, making key interventions when his team were in danger. Bad second-half miss.
PEDRO NETO 7
Operating through the middle, he created the goal and tested Villa with his pace and movement but twice could have doubled the lead before the home side levelled.
Enzo Fernandez scored the opener and should have had a second to double Chelsea’s lead
Cole Palmer was relatively quiet when Chelsea pushed forward
CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU 6
Playing wide on the left, he gave Cash a tough time in the first half and created an opening for Fernandez. Booked for a foul on Rogers.
SUBS
TOSIN ADARABIOYO 6.5
Stepped in for the injured Chalobah early on and did reasonably well, especially when Villa were at their most assertive.
JADON SANCHO 6
Sent on for Nkunku as the Frenchman tired.
