Overview

A brace from Romelu Lukaku helped a rusty Chelsea team overcome a spirited effort from Aston Villa to continue our unbeaten start to the season. In a game that was mostly even, Chelsea’s record signing showed the importance of having elite attackers to produce results out of nothing.

There was not much to write home about the overall performance — typical post-international break outing — but individual displays from Mendy, Kovačić, Silva and Lukaku showcased the variety and depth of Chelsea’s options. The goal is to keep building on results like this in order to push for the title.

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Match statistics

Note: some statistics on the player charts might not corroborate with those presented in the “stats of note” sections. This is because the stats for the charts are obtained from a different source and not fbref. For instance, Thiago Silva has 5 clearances according to fbref and 6 according to Opta. In most cases, the differences will be minimal.

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Individual ratings

Thomas Tuchel

A pleasing result, but not necessarily a pleasing performance. The 18 shots conceded is the highest under Tuchel (with 11 players on the pitch), and our characteristic defensive solidity was not always present, especially in midfield.

That said, this was a rotated team with five starters missing. While we can improve as a unit, not all games will be perfect. A three-goal victory against a strong team is no mean feat.

RATING: 7

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Photo by Stephanie Meek - CameraSport via Getty Images

Édouard Mendy — GK

Building on his great performance against Liverpool by matching the number of saves (6), and this time with all of those shots coming from inside the box. Looked authoritative when dealing with aerial balls as well.

Stats of note
6 shots
2 crosses collected (14 faced)
4 passes completed over 40 yards (9 attempted)

RATING: 8

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Callum Hudson-Odoi — RWB

Looked promising without ever converting said promise into end product. Engaged in 1v1 duels well in wide areas but the final ball was not great.

Stats of note
4 shot-creating actions - 1st
3 successful dribbles (3 attempted) - 1st
2 carries into box - Joint 1st
3 touches in box - Joint 2nd
6 progressive carries - 3rd
2 carries into final third - Joint 3rd
3 progressive passes received - Joint 3rd

RATING: 6.5

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Trevoh Chalobah — RCB

Did not look as comfortable as he did against Palace but this was another creditable performance. Looked a lot more comfortable once Jorginho was introduced.

Stats of note
3 interceptions - Joint 1st
3 tackles - 2nd
4 clearances - 3rd

RATING: 6.5

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Thiago Silva — CB

Looked exceptionally good, especially when defending in the box. Tuchel has an incredibly hard decision — in a fully positive sense — when it comes to deciding between Silva and Christensen for the middle spot in the back three.

Stats of note
4 shots blocked - 1st
3 interceptions - Joint 1st
5 clearances - 2nd
3 passes into final third - Joint 2nd
4 progressive passes - Joint 2nd

RATING: 8

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Antonio Rüdiger — LCB

More of the usual from Rüdiger, rarely looking flustered despite Villa having periods of ascendancy.

Stats of note
6 clearances - 1st
2 shots - Joint 1st
3 aerial duels won (5 contested) - Joint 1st
2 carries into final third - Joint 3rd

RATING: 7

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Marcos Alonso — LWB

Was a surprise choice for captaincy but did justice to the armband. Could have crossed better in a couple of situations but overall, it was a solid outing.

Stats of note
11 loose-ball recoveries - 1st
2 shots - Joint 1st
3 progressive passes received - Joint 3rd

RATING: 6.5

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Mateo Kovačić — RCM

Looked great while passing and evading pressure — the assist to Lukaku being the pinnacle moment — and even grabbed himself an opportunistic goal. His on-ball defensive work was great, too, although his chemistry with Saúl was not great.

Stats of note
1 goal
1 assist
5 passes into final third - 1st
6 progressive passes - 1st
4 tackles - 1st
21 pressures - 1st
4 carries into final third - 1st
2 shots - Joint 1st
7 progressive carries - 2nd
9 loose-ball recoveries - Joint 2nd
2 shot-creating actions - Joint 3rd

RATING: 8.5

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Saúl Ñíguez — LCM

Did not have a great debut. Started as the right-sided midfielder and he had issues identifying the correct angles to receive, pass and defend. This particularly affected Hudson-Odoi and Chalobah as they were dragged into unfamiliar zones when defending. Moving him to the left improved him slightly, although he will be much better in the future.

Stats of note
15 pressures - 3rd

RATING: 5

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Hakim Ziyech — RW/R-AM

Did not take enough risks on the ball and the ones he did take were not successful, making this performance a very frustrating one. He was good at moving the ball into the final third but his final ball was not great.

Stats of note
2 key passes - 1st
5 touches in box - 1st
8 progressive carries - 1st
2 shots - Joint 1st
2 carries into box - Joint 1st
3 shot-creating actions - 2nd
17 pressures - 2nd
3 carries into final third - 2nd
5 progressive passes received - 2nd
3 passes into final third - Joint 2nd
4 progressive passes - Joint 2nd

RATING: 7

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Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

Romelu Lukaku – CF

Made both his goals look a lot easier than they were. The first one, after a great pass from Kovačić, involved sitting down a defender 1v1 and the second required great finesse to trap the ball under pressure. Elite attackers convert sub-par performances into good results and that is exactly what Lukaku did.

Stats of note
2 goals
7 progressive passes received - 1st
2 shots - Joint 1st
3 touches in box - Joint 2nd
2 shot-creating actions - Joint 3rd

RATING: 8.5

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Kai Havertz – LW/L-AM

Dropped deep to receive the ball but did not do a good job of it, often finding himself surrounded by opponents. Every player is allowed off-nights and this was one for Havertz.

Stats of note
3 aerial duels won (5 contested) - Joint 1st
3 touches in box - Joint 2nd
9 loose-ball recoveries - Joint 2nd
3 progressive passes received - Joint 3rd

RATING: 6

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Substitutes

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Jorginho (46th minute) – Stabilized Chelsea’s game in possession, allowing Kovačić to push forward more. The team’s performance became a lot more coherent with his arrival.

Stats of note
3 passes into final third - Joint 2nd
2 shots blocked - 2nd

RATING: 7

César Azpilicueta (64th minute) – Got an assist after some nice 1v1 play against Villa captain Tyrone Mings.

Stats of note
1 assist
3 aerial duels won (5 contested) - Joint 1st
2 shot-creating actions - Joint 3rd

RATING: 6.5

Timo Werner (82nd minute) – Nothing of note.