Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa: Player ratings as hosts held by battling Villans

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

Villa struggled to get going in the first half and looked below par, resulting in Olivier Giroud opening the scoring with a stooping header after an inch-perfect cross from Ben Chilwell. The Frenchman has now scored in seven successive games against the Midlands club.

Anwar El Ghazi pulled his side level after converting a Matty Cash cross at the back post not long after the restart, giving his team renewed confidence. Villa looked a different team in the second half and moved the ball quicker, with Jack Grealish involved in a number of their best moves.

Chelsea, on the other hand, looked less aggressive after the break and often ran out of ideas in the attacking third. Timo Werner and Kai Havertz saw plenty of the ball after coming on but were unable to find a way through. They had chances, but it was one of those days for Lampard's men.

Let's get into some player ratings.

CHELSEA

1. Goalkeepers & Defenders

Edouard Mendy (GK) - 7/10 - Had enjoyed a comfortable game before conceding to El Ghazi, who was in acres of space at the back post. He was nutmegged for the goal and should have done better.

Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) - 6/10 - Swung some balls into the box in the first half and was a good attacking outlet for Chelsea.

Andreas Christensen (CB) - 6/10 - Was brought down by Grealish in the build up to the equaliser but Villa played on and the referee decided there was no foul.

Antonio Rudiger (CB) - 7/10 - Saw a lot of the ball as Chelsea played out from the back and delivered a performance he can be proud of.

Ben Chilwell (LB) - 8/10 - Teed up Chelsea's opener after a pulled back cross picked out Giroud perfectly. His influence grew as the game went on. A volley deep into stoppage time came inches from stealing the three points.

2. Midfielders

N'Golo Kante (CM) - 7/10 - Typically effective at winning back possession and getting his team on the front foot. Booked.

Jorginho (CM) - 6/10 - Helped to dictate the play when Chelsea played out from the back. Influence waned though and he was replaced in the second half.

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

3. Forwards

Christian Pulisic (RW) - 7/10 - Had a great chance to put his side ahead after a sloppy Grealish pass but hit the side netting. Was lively on the ball but lacked composure when it came to finishing.

Olivier Giroud (ST) - 7/10 - Gave his side the lead after guiding a stooping header home following a cross from Chilwell on the left flank. Was replaced by Timo Werner after picking up a yellow card.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (LW) - 6/10 - Did well when running at defenders but often lacked end product.

4. Substitutes

Timo Werner (ST) - 6/10 - Blazed an effort over the bar after the ball fell to him inside the box. His goal drought goes on.

Kai Havertz (AM) - 6/10 - Slotted into the number ten role after coming on and played just in front of Kante and Mount as Chelsea switched from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1.

ASTON VILLA

5. Goalkeepers & Defenders

Emiliano Martinez (GK) - 7/10 - Read some of Chelsea's efforts well and looked a safe pair of hands in net. Made a comfortable save from a Kante effort from outside the box in the second half.

Matty Cash (RB) - 7/10 - Took a blow to the head in the first half after Pulisic caught him when attempting an overhead kick. Picked out El Ghazi at the back post to bring Villa back level.

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

Ezri Konsa (CB) - 6/10 - Was a bystander as Giroud headed Chelsea into the lead but recovered in an assured display.

Matt Targett (LB) - 6/10 - Did well to keep Hudson-Odoi at bay and used his experience when in possession near his own goal.

6. Midfielders

Douglas Luiz (CM) - 6/10 - Struggled to make an impact in the midfield and was restricted to very little time on the ball. Neat and tidy when he did have it, though.

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

Jack Grealish (AM) - 7/10 - Was lively in the opening stages and was denied by Mendy early on. Instrumental in driving his team forward and won a number of fouls high up the pitch.

7. Forwards

Bertrand Traore (RW) - 6/10 - Didn't have as big an influence on the game as he has in recent weeks. The game often passed him by and he was unable to make any great inroads.

Anwar El Ghazi (LW) - 7/10 - A well worked corner routine nearly saw El Ghazi gives his side after the lead after being picked out on the edge of the box by Grealish. Dragged his side level with his fifth goal in five games before being replaced with ten minutes to go.

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

8. Substitutes

Jacob Ramsey (AM) - N/A - Nearly curled an effort into the far corner only seconds after coming on. What an introduction that would have been.

Keinan Davis (ST) - N/A