Aston Villa 2-2 Chelsea

Aston Villa were held to a 2-2 draw as Chelsea fought from two goals down to share the spoils in an action-packed encounter at Villa Park.

Marc Cucurella’s own goal after four minutes put the hosts ahead before Morgan Rogers registered his third goal in four Premier League games.

But the visitors posed a threat throughout and, after Nicolas Jackson headed against a post and saw his effort ruled out by VAR, Noni Madueke reduced the arrears just after the hour mark.

Conor Gallagher then curled in an 81^st-minute leveller before there was further late drama, substitute goalkeeper Robin Olsen denying Cole Palmer when one-on-one, before Axel Disasi’s injury-time header was disallowed following review for a foul in the build-up.

It ensured the fourth meeting between the two sides this season finished honours even, leaving Unai Emery’s fourth-placed side seven points clear of fifth in the table, albeit having played three matches more.

Villa, now unbeaten in six at home in all competitions, will also check on injuries sustained by Youri Tielemans and Emi Martínez.

Emery and his squad were again greeted by thousands of supporters as they stepped off the team coach for their arrival at Villa Park.

And the head coach made one change to his line-up from last weekend’s victory over AFC Bournemouth, Douglas Luiz returning to the starting XI having completed his two-match suspension.

Amid another passionate home atmosphere, Villa got off to a dream start as Lucas Digne’s low cross from the left was sent goalwards by McGinn and hit the knee of Cucurella before finding the bottom corner.

Jackson thought he had levelled for the visitors shortly afterwards having latched on to ball over the top but, following a VAR review, his strike was ruled out for offside.

The Villans were dealt a blow just before the half hour as Tielemans was forced off due to injury, replaced by Moussa Diaby.

Villa received a let-off in the 34^th minute as Jackson saw his six-yard header from Cucurella’s cross rebound off the base of a post.

Ollie Watkins tested Djordje Petrovic at the other end and it was the hosts who doubled their advantage just before half-time.

Following a swift break on the counter-attack, Cash found Rogers in space and he cut inside on the edge of the penalty area before sending a fierce low finish into the bottom corner.

Olsen replaced Martínez at the interval, with Chelsea starting the second half on the front foot as Madueke flashed a strike wide.

And the Chelsea wide man pulled one back just after the hour mark as he slotted in after the visitors won possession in a dangerous area.

Bailey tested Petrovic at the other end while Palmer fired an effort off target.

But it was the visitors who levelled matters nine minutes from time as Gallagher curled a 20-yard strike into the top corner.

Villa pushed in search of a winner, Watkins firing over from inside the penalty area, but it was Chelsea who came close to snatching all three points in injury time.

Olsen stood firm to deny Palmer after he found himself clean through and, from the resulting corner, sub Disasi headed in from close range, sparking wild celebrations in the away end, only for it to be ruled out for a foul on Diego Carlos in the area.