Loftus-Cheek brilliant, Werner scores, Ziyech poor. Here is how we rated the Blues players as they beat Aston Villa on penalties at Stamford Bridge

Kepa - 8

Fine save from Archer a minute before half time kept the game at 0-0. Could do absolutely nothing with the equaliser. Good stop from Nakamba in the shootout as well.

Callum Hudson-Odoi - 7

Plenty of energy but end product wasn't quite there in the first half that left his head coach frustrated. Better after half time as he pushed further forward but his end product was often frustrating.

Reece James - 8

Knows when and how to use his pace so well that he barely looks ruffled when needing to defend. Right place at the right time to clear El Ghazi's effort off the line in first half stoppage time. Sublime cross for Werner to head home the opener. Excellent and scored the winning spot kick in the shootout to boot.

Trevoh Chalobah - 7

One excellent piece of defending after a dodgy bounce of a ball stopped Archer racing away. Looked calm and composed but got caught under the ball for Cameron Archer's equaliser. Good.

Malang Sarr - 6

Lucky to escape a yellow after a late foul on the rampaging Bertrand Traore before he was eventually booked on the half hour for fouling the same player in a very suspect start to the game. He was relieved when Traore was taken off early in the second half.

Ben Chilwell - 6

On the end of two verbal bashings from Tuchel in the first 5 minutes for playing the wrong pass. Didn't get much joy out of Matty Cash at all. Not the return to action he might have been hoping for. Missed in the shootout as well.

N'Golo Kante - 7
Captain for the first half and must have covered every blade of grass as he buzzed around everywhere. Passing was a tad iffy. Only played the first half, one assumes with Man City in mind this weekend.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 9

Often a defensive midfielder as though Tuchel thinks he could be Chelsea's fourth choice number six. Very good in the first half as he bullied the Villa midfield and showed an excellent range of passing. Brilliant backheel set up a golden chance Mason Mount missed. Impressive throughout.

Saul Niguez - 6

Deployed much further forward in the first half than his debut against the same opposition. Again though, struggled to get in the game. Dropped deeper after the break when Kante was withdrawn. Did OK but still getting up to speed with the English game.

Hakim Ziyech - 6

Quiet for the first 35 minutes before he finally tested Jed Steer with a long-distance fizzer that was saved. Didn't take his chance again though, another frustrating game.

Timo Werner - 8

Deployed in the Romelu Lukaku role through the middle. Got a much, much-needed goal, heading home Reece James' wonderful cross. Full of energy as always and the goal will have done him a world of good.

Substitutes

Mason Mount (for Kante, 46')  7
Immediately brought more verve to Chelsea's attacks with Saul dropping deeper. Should have put Chelsea 2-1 up with 20 minutes to go. Forced a good stop from Steer. Scored his penalty.

Romelu Lukaku (for Saul, 75')  7
Tuchel called for his main man after Villa equalised. Immediately caused Konsa issues. Scored a confident penalty in the shootout.

Ross Barkley (for Ziyech, 75')  7
Made a fine challenge to stop Philogene-Bidace in his tracks as Villa broke late on. Scored in the shootout.