Dutchman scores fifth goal in five matches to cancel out Olivier Giroud’s first-half header
Anwar El Ghazi’s second-half goal earned Aston Villa a 1-1 draw at Chelsea to extend their unbeaten league run to five matches.
Chelsea made a strong start with Christian Pulisic twice coming close to scoring, firing into the side-netting and then hooking over from close range.
Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock for Chelsea with 11 first-half minutes remaining.
The Frenchman met Ben Chilwell’s cross with a diving header to stretch his run of scoring against Villa to seven straight league matches.
But Villa struck back through El Ghazi, who met Matty Cash’s cross six yards out to score his fifth goal in five matches.
Both teams pushed for a winner without success, John McGinn thumping the crossbar from range and Chilwell volleying a fraction wide in second-half stoppage time.
The result takes Villa to fifth with 26 points, one fewer than fourth-placed Manchester United.
Chelsea are just behind them on goal difference, having played two matches more.
See: Chelsea report | Aston Villa report
Next fixtures
Chelsea: 3 Jan v Man City (H)
Aston Villa: 1 Jan v Man Utd (A)
SOURCE: premierleague.com