Chelsea held 1-1 at home by Villa
Chelsea, overhauled by trainer Frank Lampard after a good weekend loss to Arsenal, drew 1-1 in the home to Aston Villa on Mon as being Oliver Giroud's first-fifty percent header was cancelled out soon after the break by Anwar El Ghazi.
Lampard made six adjustments to the group that began Saturday's 3-1 defeat with their London neighbours and his gamble on Giroud paid when the France striker stooped to brain in a cross simply by Ben Chilwell in the 34th minute.
It was Giroud's third goal in four league begins this year, a contrast to a poor go for Timo Werner who has failed to score in the group since Nov. 7. The German, signed from RB Leipzig in the summer, appeared only as an alternative on Monday.
Villa drew level found in the 50th minute when El Ghazi sidefooted a volley at the much content through the legs of Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy after a good cross by Matty Income.
Chelsea protested in vain that their defender Andreas Christensen have been fouled in the build-up by Jack Grealish.
The effect means Villa and Chelsea sit in fifth and sixth place in the table respectively before Tuesday's matches.
