Aston Villa v Chelsea as it happened – Marco Asensio double gives Unai Emery huge win as Marcus Rashford shines

Marco Asensio was the two-goal hero as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at Villa Park.

The Spaniard, on-loan from Paris Saint-Germain, netted a superb brace to cancel out Enzo Fernandez's 12th-minute opener, and both his strikes were set up by fellow January arrival Marcus Rashford, who was introduced as a half-time substitute by Unai Emery.

Villa started the game lackadaisically, with the visitors, sporting a new 4-3-3 shape that included captain and natural right-back Reece James in a midfield position, taking control of the early exchanges.

James' move into midfield proved to be a tactical masterstroke from Enzo Maresca, who was forced to tamper with his line-up due to the injury to right-winger Noni Madueke. James' midfield berth allowed Fernandez greater freedom to maraud forward and add numbers to the Chelsea attack, and his late box-crash to turn home Pedro Neto's cutback was a worthy reward for The Blues' start.

However, the pendulum swung at the interval, as Emery turned to Rashford to change the game.

The on-loan Manchester United forward did just that, laying on two assists for Asensio. The first stemmed from his willingness to get to the byline and chance a cross, which Asensio bundled in just shy of the hour.

The goal was initially ruled out for an offside flag against Rashford, but the VAR Paul Tierney overruled the on-field decision. Cue delirium from the Holte End.

The second - and winning - goal, scored in the 89th minute, came from Rashford's quick thinking, taking a corner short to Youri Tielemans, before firing a delivery into the middle. He picked out Asensio once more, and the Spaniard's improvised finish squirmed beyond Filip Jorgensen and span over the line to give Villa three points in the race for Europe.  

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The three points haul Unai Emery's side to within a point of their opponents, and back into contention for the UEFA Champions League places. They are two points off Manchester City in fourth, while Chelsea are in need of a victory after going three games without a win.

Up next, Chelsea host basement boys Southampton, while Villa travel to Crystal Palace.

There we have it, Villa have won it! A breathless encounter, but the hosts managed to swing the pendulum in their favour and take all three points.

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Bogarde concedes a cheap corner for the visitors, with Reece James going over to take it. Can they level proceedings?

... and he finds space down the left once more. He fancies one himself as he crashes an effort against Tosin.

They've turned it around, and it's that combination once more! Rashford and Asensio link up to turn the game on its head, but Jorgensen won't want to see that one again. Rashford takes the corner short to Tielemans, and looks to fire a left-footed delivery in at the second time of asking. It squirms beyond Jorgensen from Asensio's improvised effort, and Villa lead!

Rashford has been really positive since his half-time introduction. He seizes upon Fernandez's loose pass, driving forward at pace and sliding Malen in, but Jorgensen spreads himself and saves well. The pressure continues, with Rashford over the corner.

Rashford sends in a dipping delivery, and Chelsea struggle to get it away. Malen tries to flick it on, and Konsa goes for the rebound with Bogarde, but is there enough for a penalty claim, with Cucurella allegedly pulling Bogarde back? VAR doesn't think so.

A silly foul from Tosin on Malen in the left channel. A chance for the hosts to swing a delivery in and get Konsa forward...

Sancho is the like-for-like replacement for Nkunku on the Chelsea left, while Malen has moved through the middle for Villa. Bailey has taken Rogers' berth on the right flank.

Jadon Sancho takes to the field for Chelsea, replacing Nkunku, while Donyell Malen replaces Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers is withdrawn for Leon Bailey.

Palmer finds himself practically through on goal, and Martinez comes out to meet him. Caicedo sends him through with a lovely pass, but Palmer takes too much time, even with Martinez slipping twice, and he is bailed out by Konsa behind him, who clears!

Christopher Nkunku is the latest to have his name taken, as he clips the onrushing Morgan Rogers.

Andres Garcia replaces Matty Cash at right-back.

Palmer receives it in a tight area on the edge of the box once more, and goes for a snap-shot curler, but it just evades the far corner.

McGinn receives a caution for a late challenge on Cucurella.

Palmer shows exceptional feet to get out of a tight spot on the edge of the area. He looks for Nkunku on the far side, but he overcooks the pass.

No risks taken with Mings, who is replaced in the end by Bogarde.