CHELSEA were held to a frustrating draw against Aston Villa in a blow to their top four hopes.

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring in the first half but an Anwar El Ghazi equaliser meant the points were shared.

It means Frank Lampard's side side failed to break into the Champions League qualification spot.

Here how Simon Phillip's rated Chelsea's performers.

Edouard Mendy – 5

Good save early on from a Grealish shot, but once again he probably should have done better on Villa's equaliser.

Cesar Azpilicueta – 6

Sluggish defending and wasteful with too many crosses in the first half and he also got booked for a silly foul.

He stepped up his intensity in the second half a bit more and looked a threat in attack.

Andreas Christensen – 6

Got beaten a bit too easily on a couple of occasions at the back but largely did his job.

Antonio Rudiger – 6

Decent physical and aerial presence from him but a few dodgy moments on the ball saw Chelsea almost in trouble.

Ben Chilwell – 6

Dangerous in attack for Chelsea and provided the cross for Olivier Giroud's goal in the first half. His work rate was good once again.

Jorginho – 5

Started the game badly and made a few errors, but her grew into it a bit as it went on and recomposed himself a little.

But he just gets ran past far too easily and is a liability defensively.

N'Golo Kante – 6

He needs new studs, kept slipping over again and gave away a couple of easy passes, but his energy is incredible being all over the pitch once again after only playing two days ago.

Mason Mount – 7

Exactly the same as Kante, played two days ago but still full of energy and intensity. He is so calm on the ball and always uses it well.

Callum Hudson-Odoi – 8

Hudson-Odoi came out firing and he was fully up for this from the off. Full of intent and pace down the right, and was picking out beautiful long pass after long pass.

Christian Pulisic – 8

A real danger man in the first half for Chelsea and should have scored.

But he continued to threaten the Villa defence with his pace and direct dribbling with the ball.

Olivier Giroud – 7

Typical Giroud headed goal in the first half just when Chelsea really needed it. He was also full of desire and worked hard.

Taken off for Werner in the second half.

SUBS

Timo Werner for Giroud (71 mins) – 6

Played centrally and looked a bit better, but he still missed a fairly decent chance or two to get a shot on target.

Kai Havertz for Jorginho (71 mins) – 7

Some nice touches from him as he tried to make a difference late on.

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