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Chelsea fight back to hold Villa

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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Conor Gallagher of Chelsea celebrates scoring his teams second goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea FC at Villa Park on April 27, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Conor Gallagher of Chelsea celebrates scoring his teams second goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea FC at Villa Park on April 27, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Chelsea rallied back from two goals down to rescue a point after a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Cole Palmer recovered from illness and returned to lead the Blues attack, who also restored Trevor Chalobah and Thiago Silva ahead of Axel Disasi and Adam Gilchrist.

After the 5-0 mauling by rivals Arsenal in midweek, a dreadful start followed on four minutes as Marc Cucurella steered a snap shot from John McGinn in his own net.

The in-form Clarets were urged to shake-up their on-field personnel as Youri Tielemans dropped to the ground before the half-hour mark and were replaced by Moussa Diaby.

Chelsea were extremely unfortunate not to level a little later through a pin-point header from Nicolas Jackson after meeting Cucurella’s ball, but the Senegalese man hit the upright.

It proved costly as the host doubled the lead two minutes ahead of halftime when Morgan Rogers connected with Matty Cash’ through pass to beat Dorde Petrovic at the near post.

With the Clarets keen to maintain advantage after the break, another substitution were needed to be made as goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s hamstring pull paved entry for Robin Olsen.

Chelsea managed to have a lot of the possession in the opening exchanges of the second period, but were unable to get in-behind the host who sat deep.

The deficit were reduced past the opening exchanges after the host conceded possession high-up and left Noni Madueke to curl in the bottom-corner.

Olsen made himself big minutes apart where he leaned to the near post to court a cross-cum shot from Madueke, with the follow-up cleared.

Chelsea did level nine minutes to fulltime after Conor Gallagher came inside and dropped a shoulder to curl in the top-corner.

The Blues stole the points in additional time when Disasi nodded in off the underside of the crossbar following a cross, but it was ruled out following a foul in the build-up and all square it finished.

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