Cole Palmer cut an increasingly familiar frustrated figure as Chelsea slipped up to a rival for the Champions League spots, going down 2-1 to Aston Villa.

Enzo Maresca made sweeping changes in both shape and personnel, with Palmer moved to the right wing, Pedro Neto up front, Christopher Nkunku wide left and Reece James in midfield.

That move immediately paid off when Neto fired a low cross for an unmarked Enzo Fernandez to tap home from close range.

Marcus Rashford made a sharp impact off the bench at half-time as he set up Villa’s equaliser, reacting well at the back post to set up Marco Asensio for a tap-in.

The two January signings then combined for a second as Rashford fired a stinging cross to the edge of the area, deflected by Asensio as Filip Jorgensen fumbled the shot into his own goal in Chelsea‘s latest goalkeeping calamity.

Here, Express Sport runs the rule over Chelsea’s players at Villa Park.

Chelsea player ratings vs Aston Villa (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper

Filip Jorgensen – 5

All of the goalkeeper’s hard work came undone by Asensio’s winner, having made several smart stops from Ollie Watkins and Donyell Malen only to let the on-loan Paris Saint-Germain midfielder’s shot go through his hands.

Defence

Malo Gusto – 4

Failed to make an impact going forward, gave away the ball on countless occasions and was unable to keep track of Rashford as he set up Villa’s equaliser. A poor day at the office.

Trevoh Chalobah – N/A

Replaced after seven minutes by Tosin Adarabioyo after taking an uncomfortable fall and injuring his back.

Levi Colwill – 7

Smartly nudged Watkins off the ball to stop a very threatening attack in the first half and launched a few threatening balls for Neto to latch onto. A strong performance despite being on the losing side.

Marc Cucurella – 6

Worked hard to rush over and block Watkins’ shot that was destined for the back of the net but otherwise had a quiet evening.

Midfield

Reece James – 7

The captain was drafted into midfield as Maresca attempted to deal with Villa’s ability to outnumber their opposition in that area.

Chelsea have regularly struggled to defend transitions when the midfield has consisted of Moises Caicedo and a full-back, who then moved back into defence, when Fernandez and Palmer failed to track back.

James’ inclusion provided some much-needed balance and even though it came by sacrificing an attacking player and James wasn’t entirely comfortable, Maresca may utilise this tactic more often despite defeat at Villa Park.

It may offer a lifeline to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Romeo Lavia, when the latter returns from injury.

Moises Caicedo – 7

A typically capable performance with greater support afforded by the inclusion of James and should have come away with an assist, if Palmer had not wasted his clever through ball in the second half.

Enzo Fernandez – 7

Allowed even greater freedom in midfield as the day’s nominal number 10, with Caicedo and James behind him. He immediately reaped the rewards by opening the scoring after eight minutes.

Neto drove down the wing and picked out Fernandez to deflect the ball home in acres of space, with Villa’s defence left pointing fingers as to who should have picked up the Argentine.

He has now scored in each of his last three matches against Villa.

Attack

Cole Palmer – 6

A drab and quiet performance by the England star’s lofty expectations, with a fifth game now coming and going without a single goal or assist.

Maresca attempted to address this emerging issue by moving Palmer to the right wing, but he struggled to make a significant impact.

Palmer would have expected to mark the match with another assist as he teed up Nkunku, but the pass evaded the former RB Leipzig man and Palmer was furious and erupted at his team-mate as the ball ran out for a goal kick.

But his team-mates would have expected the net to ripple when Palmer went through on goal after 75 minutes, having sat Emi Martinez down on the floor with the world at his mercy, only to slip and eventually see his shot blocked.

Pedro Neto – 8

Has just 13 Premier League goals to his name despite over 130 appearances, but was given a new role and lease of life while leading the line at Villa Park, immediately set up Fernandez’s opener.

Having drifted out to his favoured right, Neto had Ian Maatsen twisted in knots and delivered a perfect cross for the unmarked midfielder to tap home.

The Portuguese forward was a consistent nuisance for Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa with his movement, however, and the best player on the pitch from a Chelsea perspective.

Christopher Nkunku – 4

Having stated that his favoured position is behind the striker, Nkunku has since played anywhere but.

Having been an out-and-out striker in last week’s defeat to Brighton, this time the Frenchman was shifted onto the left.

And despite the occasional flash of ability, it was another generally lethargic performance. There was little surprise when he was replaced by Jadon Sancho.

Substitutes

Tosin Adarabioyo (7′) – 6

Played almost the entirety of the game after Chalobah’s early injury, but struggled to make much of an impact.

Jadon Sancho (76′) – 6

Offered some energy late on but was largely confined to defensive duties as Villa pressed for a winning goal.