“Absolutely spent” – Jason Cundy names Chelsea ace he felt gave everything in Aston Villa defeat | OneFootball

Jason Cundy has named one player he felt gave everything as Chelsea slipped to a late defeat against Aston Villa on Saturday evening.

Chelsea took an early lead through Enzo Fernandez , before Marco Asensio hit a second half double to complete the turnaround, although his winner was courtesy of an absolute howler from Filip Jorgensen.

The defeat means Enzo Maresca’s men are now on a run of two wins from their last ten Premier League games, whilst Villa have now closed the gap on the Blues to a point.

Cundy singles out Chelsea player who gave everything

Maresca made his first real tactical shuffle of the season as he deployed Reece James in a three man midfield alongside Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.

There was also a change in attack with Cole Palmer on the right, Christopher Nkunku on the left and Pedro Neto down the middle, and Glenn Hoddle had previously urged Maresca to unleash the Portugal international.

Neto impressed down the middle for Chelsea. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Neto worked hard in his new role and provided the assist for the opening goal, and offered a threat in behind, which the Blues have lacked in recent weeks.

The 24-year-old has struggled in his first season at the club and this was just his third league goal of the campaign, but despite the defeat this was one of his best performances in a Chelsea shirt.

Chelsea struggled in the second half and players started to show signs of frustration, but Cundy singled Neto out for his effort.

“Pedro Neto looks spent by the way, absolutely spent, he’s worked his tail off,” Cundy said via Chelsea’s official app.

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With both Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu sidelined and Nkunku not effective in the number nine role, it seems Maresca has found a temporary solution to the striker crisis.

The Blues have a huge game against Southampton on Tuesday evening and it would be a surprise if Neto didn’t start down the middle.