John Townley’s Aston Villa player ratings after Unai Emery’s side win at Chelsea in the Premier League
19:26, 27 Dec 2025Updated 19:36, 27 Dec 2025
Ollie Watkins scored both of Aston Villa’s goals at Chelsea
Aston Villa equalled their all-time club record of 11 consecutive victories after beating Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, with Ollie Watkins turning the game on its head in the second half.
The striker scored moments after coming off the bench to level the match, following Joao Pedro’s opener before the break, and then headed past Robert Sanchez in the 84th minute to secure the win.
Chelsea started the brighter of the two sides, with the first chance of the game falling to Cole Palmer in the second minute.
After Youri Tielemans failed to get a touch on the ball to take it away from the England international, Palmer let it sit up for him before slashing a half-volley wide of Emiliano Martinez’s right-hand post.
A few minutes later, Villa’s talisman Morgan Rogers broke forward into the box, but instead of striking the ball with his stronger foot at an angle, he opted to chop back onto his left. However, Benoit Badiashile read the situation well and was able to stop the danger.
Enzo Fernández has created more chances from open play than any other Chelsea player in the Premier League this season, but he was presented with a chance to score his fifth league goal of the campaign in the 18th minute.
Palmer, again causing problems for Villa, offloaded the ball to Alejandro Garnacho, who then picked out Fernández. But from a promising position, the Argentine bent his effort just wide of Martinez’s post.
Chelsea continued to put pressure on Villa, who struggled to get out of their own half, with Donyell Malen limited to just one touch in the first 20 minutes and only five across the whole of the first half.
Pedro Neto picked out João Pedro inside the box midway through the first half, but Martinez saved well – with his face.
Just as Villa thought they were taking a clean sheet into the break, they failed to deal with Reece James’s corner, which was flicked past Martinez by Pedro from close range.
The hosts came close to doubling their lead in the 52nd minute when Palmer rolled the ball across goal for Garnacho, but John McGinn managed to turn it wide for a corner, preventing what would have been a certain goal.
Villa’s skipper was one of three players taken off before the hour mark, as Jadon Sancho and Ollie Watkins were also introduced.
The latter two substitutes combined shortly after coming on, with Watkins taking the ball off Sancho before threading a pass through to Boubacar Kamara, who couldn’t quite lift the ball over Robert Sanchez inside the box.
But moments later, in the 63rd minute, Watkins drew Villa level after being played in by Rogers. His initial effort was saved by Sanchez, but the rebound deflected back in off Watkins.
Villa nearly turned the game on its head when Rogers once again created danger in the box, finding Ian Maatsen on an overlapping run. The Dutchman’s fierce strike was well saved by Sanchez.
The victory keeps Villa within three points of league leaders Arsenal ahead of Tuesday’s meeting at the Emirates.
After collecting their fifth bookings of the season, Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara will both serve one-match suspensions against Arsenal on Tuesday night.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez Martinez made a strong save with his face in the 25th minute after Neto picked out Pedro’s run in the box, but was beaten when Pedro flicked James’ cross in towards the end of the first half. 7
Matty Cash Cash was in the wars early in the first half and had the difficult task of facing Garnacho’s pace, with Cucurella getting involved in most attacks down that flank too. He’ll miss the Arsenal match through suspension. 7
Ezri Konsa Konsa stood strong heading the ball away a few times when Chelsea applied pressure in the box. 7
Victor Lindelof The Swede started on the left side of central defence with Pau Torres still sidelined. He defended well again today and got through plenty of work considering the pressure Villa were put under. 7
Ian Maatsen Maatsen continued in the starting XI, and has now started the last five league matches. He nearly put Villa ahead when he raced onto Rogers’ pass in the box, but saw his drive beaten away by Sanchez. 7
Boubacar Kamara Kamara battled well against an impressive Chelsea midfield, made up of Moises Caicedo and Fernandez, while Palmer drifted into dangerous pockets. He’ll also be missing on Tuesday night after picking up his fifth booking of the season. 7
Youri Tielemans Tielemans had been operating in a more advanced role in previous matches, but played alongside Kamara in the double pivot today. Lofted a dangerous ball in behind to Malen early on, but Badiashile mopped up well. It was the Belgian’s corner which Watkins headed in. 7
John McGinn McGinn was replaced before the hour mark for Onana’s fresh legs. 6
Emi Buendia Buendia was one of two changes in the Villa side, as he replaced Amadou Onana, while Tielemans dropped back. Like a few of his teammates, he struggled to make an impact in the match. His balls forward in a bid to start counter attacks could have been more accurate. 5
Morgan Rogers Rogers showed his quality in the second half, assisting Watkins’ goal, and very nearly making another when he played the ball to Maatsen, before the full-back’s effort was saved. 8
Donyell Malen Malen got the nod to lead the line from the off tonight, instead of Watkins, but he only managed one touch in the first 20 minutes and saw little of the ball. 5
SUBS
Ollie Watkins (for Malen, 59′) Bagged for Villa just minutes after coming into the game, and then won it by heading in Tielemans’ corner. 9*
Jadon Sancho (for Buendia, 59′) What an impact Sancho made. He took the ball in tight pockets with comfort and linked play excellently. 8
Amadou Onana (for McGinn, 59′) Added more power to the midfield, helping change the game. 7
Lucas Digne (for Maatsen, 83′): N/A
Lamare Bogarde (for Kamara, 83′): N/A
Subs not used: Bizot, Garcia, Hemmings, Jimoh-Aloba.
GOALS
Chelsea: Pedro (37′)
Aston Villa: Watkins (63′, 84′)
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