Chelsea ratings: Kepa Arrizabalaga puts on stunning performance as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang misses Villa win

CHELSEA continued their unbeaten start to life under Graham Potter as Mason Mount’s double clinched a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

The Blues took an early lead when Tyrone Ming’s pathetic header went up in his own box and Mason Mount volleyed it home from close range.

6

6

6

Villa then had two great chances to equalize but goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made two wonderful saves to thwart first Douglas Luiz and then Danny Ings.

And Chelsea nearly doubled their lead just before half-time when a flick from Raheem Sterling hit the bar.

However, midway through the second period, Graham Potter’s men increased their lead when a superb Mount free-kick outsmarted Emi Martinez, rolled over the keeper and shot into the net.

This is how SunSport’s Dylan Terry saw the performances of the Chelsea players.

KEPA ARRIZABALAGA-9/10

Made an excellent save midway through the first half to deny Douglas Luiz before then outdoing himself with a pretty AMAZING close-range stop to deny Danny Ings.

Kepa displays the lightning quick reflexes that don’t seem to have hinted at him despite a tough few years.

Edouard Mendy could find it very difficult to reclaim first place given the Spaniard’s current form.

6

TREVOH CHALOBAH-6

Looked a little exposed against Ings and McGinn, albeit with little help from Sterling in the first period.

He seemed more comfortable with a more defensive right-back at his side, with Azpilicueta propping things up in the second half.

THIAGO SILVA-6

The Brazilian is a class both with and without possession of the ball.

Mount, Kovacic and Loftus-Cheek found several times with incisive balls to launch Chelsea attacks.

Had a nervous moment bouncing off the ball from McGinn only for Kepa to save the defender with another smart stop.

MARC CUCURELLA-5

Cucurella and Chilwell appear to have failed to reach a coherent agreement on the left side of Chelsea’s defence.

Villa found plenty of space down the right channel, with the ex-Brighton man also giving the ball away a little too often.

Substituted at the break as Potter tried to remedy his side’s defensive weaknesses.

RAHEEM STERLING – 7TH

A match of two halves for Sterling.

It’s not his fault but he’s just not a right-back.

McGinn kept finding his place behind the England international in the first half and Potter eventually switched Loftus-Cheek there as Sterling was pushed further up.

In his favorite wide attacking position, Sterling then had an immediate effect as he curled a decent try against the crossbar.

He looked constantly dangerous throughout the second period and came close late with a header as he took Aubameyang’s place through the middle.

MATEO KOVACIC – 7

A terribly underrated midfielder. Always available for a pass and consistently maintains possession under pressure.

Lost control of the game at times and was substituted for Jorginho midway through the second half.

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS – THE BEST DEALS FOR NEW CUSTOMERS

RUBEN LOFTUS CHEEK – 6

Was asked to play as a central midfielder, right-back and then central midfielder again.

Managed relatively well in the middle of the park without doing anything spectacular.

BEN CHILWELL-5

Chilwell showed himself to be a constant attacking point, but often a bit unconscious when defending.

Booked for a nasty tackle on Ramsey in the first half and later drifted out of the game.

Mason Bracket – 9

Cooly scored his first goal of the season for Chelsea while England boss Southgate looked on from the stands.

His work speed, positional intelligence and creativity were never in question and he proved that once again on Sunday afternoon.

Adding goals to his game will only improve his bid for a starting spot in Qatar next month and he doubled his tally for the campaign with a lovely free-kick.

Late booking won’t spoil his day.

6

KAI HAVERTZ – 3

Very poor performance from Havertz who was a passenger for most of the first half and created very little in the final third.

The German has struggled to find any sort of consistency so far this season and was hooked on Potter at half-time.

PIERRE EMERICK AUBAMEYANG – 3

Aubameyang’s only contribution in the first half was giving away possession in Chelsea’s own half.

Did nothing to justify Potter keeping him early in the second half and was dismissed before the hour mark.

Chelsea look a far greater threat with Sterling at the center of their attack.

6

SUBSTITUTE

KALIDOU KOULIBALY (FOR CUCURELLA, 46) – 6

Replaced Cucurella at left centre-back and needed just 15 minutes to earn a yellow card for a cynical foul on Ramsey.

He looked more confident as he grew into the game, with Chelsea claiming a little more control of the game.

CESAR AZPILICUETA (FOR HAVERTZ, 46) – 6

Showed what an orthodox full-back looks like after Sterling and Loftus-Cheek both struggled to deal with McGinn.

Ended Villa’s threat as the hosts switched their attack and tried their luck on the other flank towards the end of the game.

CONOR GALLAGHER (FOR AUBAMEYANG, 58) – 7

Delivered a superb cross for Sterling, who headed just wide.

Gave Chelsea the energy in midfield they had lacked in their first 45 years.

JORGINHO (FOR KOVACIC, 65) – 6

Demonstrated his ability to retain possession and dictate the pace of a game when Chelsea needed to see it from a dominant position.

ARMANDO BROJA (FOR STERLING, 89) – N/A

Had just a handful of touches as he substituted for Sterling for the game’s final passages.

Subs not used: Pulisic, Mendy, Zakaria, and Chukwuemeka.