Just as it seemed they would extend their winless run to six matches, the Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen made a mess of a routine save, inadvertently giving Villa the leg-up they had been looking for, allowing Marco Asensio’s side-foot volley from Marcus Rashford’s cross after a short corner to slip through his gloves.
Malo Gusto retrieved a ball close to a corner flag at the Villa end and fed Cole Palmer, who promptly floated a ball towards the back post but Fernández could not head it goalwards.
Gusto’s attempt to cut out Cash’s cross towards the back post inadvertently served to control the ball for Rashford, who, played onside by Fernández, instinctively prodded the ball across the six-yard box for Asensio to convert.
Chelsea quickly settled, Tyrone Mings blocking a Pedro Neto shot within the first couple of minutes and even an apparent back injury for Trevoh Chalobah, who was replaced by Tosin Adarabioyo, did not break their stride.
Chelsea had double the shot count but Villa levelled approaching the hour, Asensio’s goal, initially ruled offside, was awarded following a check by the video assistant referee, Paul Tierney.
