John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings as 8s and 9s awarded after 2-1 comeback vs Chelsea

Aston Villa came from behind to claim their first win in six league games as Unai Emery's side beat Chelsea 2-1 at Villa Park.

Marco Asensio scored a brace, with his second of the night coming in the 89th minute to hand Villa their second home league win of the calendar year, extending the club’s unbeaten run at home to 14 matches in all competitions.

Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring in the ninth minute, converting Pedro Neto’s cross from the right.

Villa began to improve after a poor first 15 minutes as Morgan Rogers and Asensio combined to help provide Ollie Watkins with the club’s first chance of the game, but his effort on goal from a tight angle was blocked.

Minutes later, after Watkins found space in a similar position, his strike was blocked by Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella.

Marcus Rashford was introduced for the start of the second half, replacing Jacob Ramsey.

He grabbed his first assist after joining on loan from Manchester United by playing the ball across the box for Asensio to score his first for the club.

Tyrone Mings then came off after appearing to feel discomfort in his knee and was replaced by Lamare Bogarde.

Cole Palmer squandered a huge opportunity to restore Chelsea’s advantage in the 76th minute after being played through on goal by Moises Caicedo. The England international hesitated and his eventual effort was blocked by Ezri Konsa.

After Donyell Malen was thwarted by Filip Jorgensen late on, the goalkeeper failed to keep Asensio's strike out as the Spaniard fired the ball through a crowd of bodies.

Villa are next in action on Tuesday night when they play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (7:30pm kick-off).

Player ratings

Emi Martinez

Martinez didn't stop Neto's ball across the box, before Fernandez put the ball in the back of the net. 6

Matty Cash

Cash came into the side in place of Andres Garcia, who had started the club's last four matches following his January move from Levante. He didn't get goal side of Fernandez - who opened the scoring - as he presumed Konsa was going to continue running in line with Mings before Neto crossed. The Poland international played a key role in the equaliser as he switched the ball over to Rashford, which led to Villa's equaliser.. 6

Ezri Konsa

Konsa returned from injury to start tonight after missing the last two matches. He stopped running back in the box when Neto was racing down the wing, allowing Fernandez to convert in from close range as Cash didn't goal-side either. He made a tremendous block to prevent Palmer from scoring what could have been a winner later on. 7

Tyrone Mings

The centre-back made his 150th Premier League appearance for Villa this evening. He made two important interventions either side of Fernandez's opening goal. In the 30th minute, he gave the ball away which led to a chance for Palmer, but Mings got back well and managed to block his effort which went narrowly wide. He had some discomfort in his knee early in the second period, but continued. 6

Ian Maatsen

Maatsen made only his fourth league start of the season as he came in for Lucas Digne. He struggled defensively with Chelsea's opening goal coming via Neto's cross on the flank. Going forward, Maatsen is a threat, but has been suspect at the back so far this season. 5

Youri Tielemans

The Belgian made the most tackles in the match and was all-action from the start. He and McGinn have formed a very effective midfield duo despite the loss of Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley and Amadou Onana through injury. 8

John McGinn

McGinn matched Chelsea's energy and work rate in midfield, with no player on the pitch winning more fouls than him. He completed over 90 per cent of the passes he attempted and won 10 ground duels. 8

Morgan Rogers

Villa couldn't get Rogers involved in the first half with Chelsea performing a solid defensive job. He had more joy in the second half and got Christopher Nkunku in the book after the Frenchman clattered him as he tried to drive Villa up the pitch. 7

Marco Asensio

Asensio operated in the central number 10 role again this evening. He faded in and out in the first half, but that doesn't matter one bit as he proved decisive at the end. Quality, quality player. 9*

Jacob Ramsey

Ramsey replaced Marcus Rashford in the starting XI and made his 150th appearance for the club. He was asked to defend early on as Chelsea made a bright start and he was up to the task. He picked up dangerous positions on the left, but wasn't used enough and was replaced at the break. 6

Ollie Watkins

After his first effort at a tight angle was blocked by goalkeeper Jorgensen, Watkins was presented with another opportunity in a similar position, but Cucurella made an important block. The forward was too slow to offload the ball to Ramsey on the half hour mark, before he appeared to be fouled but nothing was given. 6

SUBS

Marcus Rashford (for Ramsey, 46'): Rashford made an instant impact after coming on as he assisted Asensio for the equaliser and then the winner. 8

Lamare Bogarde (for Mings, 59'): The youngster played at left centre-back after replacing Mings and competed well. 6

Andres Garcia (for Cash, 70'): Solid showing from the Spaniard, who had started Villa's previous four matches. 6

Leon Bailey (for Watkins, 77'): N/A

Donyell Malen (for Rogers, 77'): N/A

Subs not used: Olsen, Zych, Digne, Jimoh-Aloba.

GOALS

Aston Villa: Asensio (57', 89')

Chelsea: Fernandez (9')

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