Chelsea show fight as Villa’s confidence crumbles: Five things we learned from Aston Villa 2-2 Chelsea | OneFootball

Chelsea came back from two goals down to pick up a point at Aston Villa, but it could have been all three if not for some late VAR drama.

An own goal from Marc Cucurella and superb finish from Morgan Rogers had put Villa 2-0 up at half-time but Noni Madueke’s strike and a stunner from Conor Gallagher ensured Chelsea avoided defeat.

The Blues thought they had snatched all three points late on when Axel Disasi headed in but after a VAR check, the referee deemed that there was a push from Benoit Badiashile prior to the goal.

Here are five things we learned from an enthralling evening at Villa Park…

Martinez substitution hurts Villa’s confidence

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Villa looked the more dangerous side in the first half and deserved to be ahead in the game, but an enforced change at half-time which saw back-up goalkeeper Robin Olsen replace Emi Martinez had a hugely negative impact on Unai Emery’s side.

Martinez’s ability with the ball at his feet when playing out from the back is so important to this Villa side and everything starts with him. It is no coincidence, then, that Villa found maintaining possession and building patterns of play more difficult after their first-choice goalkeeper was forced off, which contributed to uncertainty and nervousness in the team and disrupted their rhythm. Olsen did fine when he came on, but the confidence Argentina’s number one brings them was sorely missed.

Chelsea players show they are still fighting for Pochettino

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It looked like Chelsea could be in for another long night when they went one down early on in the game through Cucurella’s own goal, starting in exactly the same fashion as they did in the 5-0 thumping by Arsenal in midweek. Things were made even worse when Morgan Rogers made it two, but the Blues’ second-half fight back and performance after the restart shows they are still fighting for the manager.

The Blues deserved at least a point from the game and were unlucky not to take all three when Disasi’s header late on was disallowed following a VAR check. Cole Palmer also spurned a fantastic chance to win the game for his side moments prior, firing at Olsen when one v one. Pochettino will be left frustrated his side did not come away with a win but can be proud of the response his side showed to what was a dismal display earlier in the week.

Madueke’s response

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Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has come in for a bit of stick lately, including for his reaction to not being given the opportunity to take a penalty-kick in his side’s 6-0 win over Everton earlier this month. But the 22-year-old responded to his critics with a fine performance against Villa and got a goal to match it too, firing low into the bottom corner in the second half to get his team back in the game, and was Chelsea’s best player on the night.

Consistency in his performances has been an issue for him, like much of Chelsea’s squad, but this display showed exactly what he is capable of when he’s on form. His pace and directness caused Villa all sorts of problems and a run in the team looks to be doing him the world of good.

The rise of Rogers

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It’s been a remarkable 12 months for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. This time last year, the exciting young forward was being relegated from the Championship while on loan at Blackpool from Manchester City but could well be playing Champions League football next season.

The 21-year-old scored a brilliant second for Villa, clinically finishing low into the bottom corner beyond Djordje Petrovic, and has settled in seamlessly to life at the club following his January move from Middlesbrough. He has already struck up  a strong chemistry with his attacking team-mates and looks a real talent.

Jackson’s rotten run continues

Nicolas Jackson’s poor run in front of goal persisted at Villa Park. The striker has scored just one goal in his last eight games in all competitions and has been guilty of some glaring misses during that time, including in Chelsea’s latest clash.

The striker spurned a glorious chance to level the score in the first half when picked out for a free header by Cucurella a few yards out but headed onto the post when the goal was gaping. Jackson does a lot for the team but his missed chances are costing his side at pivotal moments in games.