Aston Villa v Chelsea ratings: Cash 5, Ings 5; Kante 7, Lukaku 8

Lukaku comes off the bench to inspire Blues

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  ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez 6 – Attempted to derail Jorginho with some mind games when Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the first half, but to no avail. He at least went the right way for the second penalty, though was once again unable to stop the Italian. He could do little about Lukaku’s header, but made an amazing save low to his left to deny Hudson-Odoi. PA

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  Matt Cash 5 – Villa were dangerous in transition in the first 25 minutes, and this was largely down to the distribution of Cash and co. However, and after having denied Hudson-Odoi with a block, he was caught out by the Chelsea forward’s pace and gave away a penalty. Getty

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  Matt Targett 6 – Created the opening goal with a deflected cross-cum-shot, the pace of the ball catching Mendy off guard after James' glancing header. Getty

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  Ezri Konsa 5 – Had a solid first half but could do little to stop Lukaku in the second, Konsa giving away a penalty in injury time. He was lucky not to get a red card for his troubles. AFP

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  Tyrone Mings 5 – The Villa skipper knew he was in a game in the second half, with substitute Lukaku making his presence felt quickly after the restart. He was booked, which means he’ll miss his next match, and he couldn’t stop Lukaku’s movement for the second goal. Getty

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  Douglas Luiz 7 – Played some teasing balls forward as Villa looked to get the ball forward quickly. Impressed when others around him failed to deal with Chelsea in the second half. AP

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  Morgan Sanson 6 – A decent performance on his first league start, though he faded after the break. Will hope to have done enough to keep his place. PA

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  Emiliano Buendia 6 – Started brightly and his balls from deep caused Chelsea problems, but like others he drifted out of the game. Getty

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  Ollie Watkins 7 – Played on the left and was a menace when breaking from his own half, exploiting the gaps left behind by James, though he was often short of support when he made it into the box. Came close a couple of times but efforts were blocked. Reuters

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  Danny Ings 5 – Found himself in shooting range on numerous occasions but rarely managed to trouble Mendy. A frustrating evening. AFP

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  Jacob Ramsey 7 – Ramsey looked a real talent, sometimes getting the better of Kante. Getty

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  SUBS: Bertrand Traore (Ings, 73) N/A – Villa will be pleased to have him back, though he looked a bit rusty. Getty

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  Carney Chukwuemeka (Buendia, 74) N/A – Poor cameo from the youngster, who struggled to get into the game. Reuters

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  Anwar El Ghazi (Sanson, 77) N/A – Had villa’s only shot on target, so was a useful addition. Getty

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  CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy 6 – Will have been frustrated to have let Matt Targett’s speculative effort slip through his hands, even if it was deflected off Reece James. Reuters

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  Antonio Rudiger 6 – Was caught out of position at times but had Thiago Silva to thank for covering. Did his job and held the back line when Silva was forced off through injury. Getty

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  Marcos Alonso 6 – Fed Hudson-Odoi, who was a constant threat in front of him. Delivered one dangerous cross, which was cleared. Getty

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  Jorginho 8 – Two penalties, two goals… it was business as usual for the Italian, who now has six goals from the spot this season. Getty

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  Thiago Silva 8 – A flawless performance in the first half, the Brazilian showing all his experience to deny Villa on the break. Reuters

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  N’Golo Kante 7 – Kante looked to be having a quiet game, but Chelsea missed him when he was taken off, the Blues allowing Villa back into the game in the middle. Reuters

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  Christian Pulisic 6 – Pulisic looked far more comfortable in the second half following the introduction of Lukaku. Until then, he’d been largely ineffectual. AP

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  Trevoh Chalobah 6 – Chalobah was often caught out when Villa transitioned the ball forward quickly, and he made way for Lukaku. AP

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  Mason Mount 5 – Mount had a glorious chance to seal the game for Chelsea, but he snatched at a shot when he had Lukaku and Pulisic in a better position. PA

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  Callum Hudson-Odoi 8 – The winger caused Villa problems all game, playing a part in two goals and seeing a late shot saved by Martinez. PA

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  Reece James 6 – He played in an advanced position in the first half and found a lot of freedom, but his final ball sometimes let him down. Getty

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  SUBS: Romelu Lukaku (Chalobah, 46) 8 – The Belgian changed the game. He scored one and made another, as he forced Konsa into a rash challenge in injury time, which Jorginho converted from the spot. PA

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  Andreas Christensen (Silva, 52) 5 – Came on at the back to replace Silva, and though he didn’t look as confident Chelsea got the job done. Reuters

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  Mateo Kovacic (Kante, 63) 5 – Kovacic did little wrong but Chelsea were definitely guilty of letting Villa back into the game when Kante left the field. Reuters

Romelu Lukaku climbed off the bench to inspire Chelsea’s comeback victory as he continued to haunt Aston Villa.

The striker scored his first Premier League goal since a September brace against the same opposition as the visitors came from behind to win 3-1.

Lukaku has now scored nine goals in his last 10 top-flight appearances against Villa and also caused havoc to win a stoppage-time penalty for Jorginho to score his second goal of the game.

His first season back in England has been hampered by an ankle injury but the Belgium international now has two in his last three games to offer Thomas Tuchel a welcome boost after Chelsea dropped off the title race pace.

Jorginho’s first penalty had earlier cancelled out Reece James’ own goal as Villa ran out of steam after an impressive opening half to remain 10th.

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