MORGAN ROGERS settled the ‘Rogers vs Palmer debate’ pretty decisively with an assist and victory on the Chelsea No10’s home turf.
A Blues corner looked as though Reece James had scored an Olimpico, before replays confirmed to a slightly disappointed James (and gleaming Pedro) that it had hit the Brazilian’s calf on the way in.
Robert Sanchez may as well have got stuck into some festive reading for the first 45 minutes, with Rogers labelled a ‘S*** Cole Palmer‘ before half-time by the Chelsea fans.
The Villa No27, though, left his London critics blue in the face with a second-half assist for Ollie Watkins‘ equaliser.
This is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Blues…
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ROBERT SANCHEZ – 6
Was only ‘tested’ once in the first half, by a tame John McGinn effort that put the ‘ick’ in free-kick.
Villa made him much busier in the second 45, though, with the introduction of Watkins, Sancho, and Onana.
His clean sheet was gone shortly after, with a somewhat unfortunate bounce leading to Watkins wheeling away in celebration.
Recovered well from that, with multiple strong second-half stops,butcouldn’t do much about an excellent Ollie Watkins header to give Villa all three points.
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REECE JAMES – 8
Playing the hybrid fullback/midfield role saw him matched up against the dangerous Morgan Rogers and ex-Chelsea pal Ian Maatsen.
Made two really good first-half tackles on Rogers, and thought he’d scored the opener, only for a touch from Joao Pedro to nick it from him.
Went close to a second with a cross in the second half, which was well stopped by Martinez.
TREVOH CHALOBAH – 4
Didn’t have much to do in the first half, but whenever tested, he stood strong, with a few helpful defensive actions and progressive carries forward.
Chalobah and Badiashile completed more passes between them in the first 45 minutes (104) than the ENTIRE Villa team (100), and they rarely mislaid one either.
His second half was less than desirable, though, being unable to get close to Watkins for his equaliser.
BENOIT BADIASHILE – 3
Was patient enough to make a crucial challenge to deny Morgan Rogers a clear shot on goal within the opening five minutes, and linked up nicely with Alejandro Garnacho in the ‘Levi Colwill role’.
Was caused a few issues by Rogers and made a needless foul on him towards the end of the first half, before giving the ball away for Villa’s equaliser in the second.
MARC CUCURELLA – 6
Wasn’t only battling Morgan Rogers and John McGinn at times, but had a lengthy verbal battle with compatriot Unai Emery on the touchline.
Was flying forward down the left side too, and had McGinn on toast in terms of his defending, before he was rarely hooked for Malo Gusto in the second half.
MOISES CAICEDO – 7
A pretty standard Moises Caicedo performance at this point, which is usually very good.
Ran the show in midfield with his incisive passing, strong tackling and relentless engine in the first half, but seemed to make more fouls than good tackles in the second 45.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 6
Came close to finding the top corner and breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute after a good cutback from Alejandro Garnacho, but it was a whisker wide.
Should get some credit for an intelligent midfield performance, in which he won a few duels, one in particular with Emi Martinez in the build-up to the Chelsea opener.
Was the conductor of the Blues’ midfield, but seemed to lose it slightly in the second half.
PEDRO NETO – 4
Worked incredibly hard and ran Maatsen ragged in the first half with his unbearable pace, but similarly to Garnacho on the other wing, he couldn’t quite get that final ball just right.
Without that end product, which he has shown in flashes this season, fans will just be left frustrated at watching him.
COLE PALMER – 3
Said before the game he was going to ‘run it back’ in reference to his player of the match display in this fixture last season, but couldn’t quite recreate that brilliance.
Spurned an early volley just wide of the post, and was unlucky not to get an assist early in the second half, with Garnacho denied by John McGinn at the far post.
His frustration was evident as he booted a spare ball into the crowd after that moment, and was not at all happy when hooked after 71 minutes for Estevao.
Villa fans retorted he was a ‘S*** Morgan Rogers’ as he walked off.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 4
Was under the skin of the Villa fans and players from the start, with his pace and trickery getting Matty Cash booked in the first half, and creating a few half-chances for his side.
As often found, his end product was lacklustre, as he’s yet to find some real consistency in that sense.
JOAO PEDRO – 5
Looked more than pleased with being awarded the opening goal, despite not seeming to know a whole lot about it – any striker will tell you though, they all count, and he was in the right place at the right time.
His hold-up play was impressive, and he worked hard in terms of his defensive duties, but really didn’t steal the show by any means before being replaced by Delap.
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LIAM DELAP (JOAO PEDRO, 69) – 4
Got a customary yellow card, but failed to add any impetus to the Chelsea front line when it was needed.
JAMIE GITTENS (ALEJANDRO GARNACHO, 69) – 4
A similar showing to Garnacho stylistically, but offered less in terms of chance creation.
MALO GUSTO (MARC CUCURELLA, 69) – 5
Looked a shadow of his usual self playing out of position at left-back when he was introduced, being given a tough time by ex-teammate Jadon Sancho on the Villa right.
ESTEVAO (COLE PALMER, 72) – 5
Palmer was not at all happy to be substituted, and the Brazilian’s lack of impact will only justify that annoyance.
Tried to create down the right for the Blues, but was well marshalled by Lucas Digne.