Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke agree on telling one-word Chelsea verdict after Aston Villa

Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke have both agreed a Chelsea verdict after they came from behind to draw 2-2 against Aston Villa. An own goal from Marc Cucurella and strike from Morgan Rogers just before half time put Villa two goals ahead with no way back appearing clear for the Blues.

Despite that, Chelsea showed major signs of improvement with some home truths from Mauricio Pochettino and Thiago Silva making a clear difference. Possession and pressure soon turned into a goal back though with Madueke on target after superb work by Gallagher and Cole Palmer high up the pitch.

The Blues continued pushing and soon found an equaliser with Gallagher given time on the edge of the box to pick his spot, which he did expertly with a precise left-footed effort from distance. Palmer squandered a great chance to turn the game on its head in the final minutes with Axel Disasi believing he'd netted a winner only for VAR and an on-field review by Craig Pawson to deny him.

Pochettino, while also bemoaning the VAR decision that went against his team, praised the desire and fight within his squad to come from behind. "We were talking a little bit," he said. "The referee didn't see the action on the field. What he saw wasn't a foul for him but then the VAR changed the decision. If the referee had said, 'it was a foul', and then stuck with the decision, then okay no problem.

"The referee saw the action, he didn't see a foul and then go check on the VAR. It was a challenge that happens so many times in football. Disappointed because in this moment, it was massive for us, to have success and believe we can get in the European competition for next season. That is why it is painful. I will put myself in trouble if I say anything but I think everyone saw that it wasn't a foul.

"We struggled a little bit to recover from Man City and Arsenal, who are doing well, they punished us so much. "But today the team showed good character and good performance.

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"If we analyse the game, we were the better side. I can say we deserved to win but I think it makes me very happy and pleased that we were able to perform against a team in a very good position, doing a fantastic season and to show that we can compete in this way."

While Pochettino was pleased, both Gallagher and Madueke made their thoughts on the comeback very clear. On Instagram, Madueke said: "Character...". Chelsea's other goal scorer also wrote: "Great character from the boys in the second half! Thanks for the support [ball emoji and blue heart emoji] #CFC."