1. OLIVIER GIROUD (7.3)

Giroud has moved ahead of everyone else on the team in goals scored with his ninth of the season (in all competitions), one more than either Timo Werner or Tammy Abraham. If Oli G starts, Oli G scores. But what’s even more remarkable is that he has done so in just about half as many minutes as Tammy and less than a third of the minutes that Timo’s had.

What’s slightly less remarkable, and perhaps indicative of how Chelsea’s style needs to adjust, Giroud has yet to be credited with an assist this season, in stark contrast with the other two, who each have six.

Then again, a striker who is scoring goals at a tremendous clip, one every 66 minutes, is never a bad thing.

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2. BEN CHILWELL (7.0)

Speaking of assists, Chilly B collected his fifth of the season on Chelsea’s only goal in this one — especially welcome considering how reliant we are on wide play and crossing to create chances these days. He also grazed the post with a tremendous volley in the dying minutes of the game, which would’ve been a goal of the season contender if it had been a couple inches to the left.

Oh, and he also rubbed Villa fans the wrong way by claiming that they scored with their only shot on target on the night, which may be incorrect (they had TWO shots on target), but still worth a bonus point in my book.

3. CHRISTIAN PULISIC (6.9)

Nice.

vs. ASTON VILLA (PL, H, D 1-1)

EXCEPTIONAL (9.0+): —

EXCELLENT (8.0-8.9): —

GOOD (7.0-7.9): Giroud (7.3), Chilwell (7.0)

AVERAGE (6.0-6.9): Pulisic (6.9), Hudson-Odoi (6.6), Mount (6.4), Kanté (6.1)

POOR (5.0-5.9): Rüdiger (5.9), Azpilicueta (5.8), Mendy (5.8), Havertz (5.4, sub), Werner (5.2, sub), Jorginho (5.0)

BAD (4.0-4.9): Christensen (4.8)

TERRIBLE (3.0-3.9): —

OVERALL