With a stunning 2 – 2 draw on Saturday, the troubled Chelsea finally showed some spirit as they fought back from two goals down to deny Aston Villa’s top four Premier League bid.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side trailed to Marc Cucurella’s early own goal and a Morgan Rogers strike before half – time at Villa Park.

The Blues, however, went far to save a gritty point thanks to goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher rather than capitulating in Tuesday’s humiliating 5 – 0 defeat at Arsenal.

Chelsea thought they had won it deep into stoppage – time when Villa keeper Robin Olsen turned Axel Disasi’s effort into his own net, however, to Pochettino’s fury, the goal was disallowed for a Benoit Badiashile foul.

Villa’s hopes of catching Tottenham in the race for the Champions League with a top four finish were hampered by the draw.

In their first of three games, Unai Emery’s side host Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, seven points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham.

Villa, who last placed fourth in 1995-1996, are still the favorites to win the lucrative Champions League spot, but they might get a little anxious if Tottenham wins the north London derby.

Villa must now prepare for the Europa Conference League semifinal first leg against Olympiakos on Thursday because they were far below their best.

Despite a difficult campaign that included an FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City last weekend, Pochettino reportedly retains the backing of Chelsea’s ninth-placed squad, which has been assembled for over £1 billion.

In a fiery opening, Villas showed that they were right when they refused to concede.

Chelsea will not give up.

In the fourth minute, Lucas Digne poked a low cross into the Chelsea six – yard box, where John McGinn’s scuffed shot was deflected into his own net by Cucurella.

Chelsea conceded in the opening four minutes of a series of league games for the first time since 1998.

As Villa pondered the reward for Chelsea’s early lethargy, Digne volleyed into the sidenetting from an acute angle moments later.

However, when Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans limped off injured, Villa’s momentum had lost.

Nicolas Jackson was just inches away from scoring with a close-range header from Cucurella’s cross that glared off the post.

Ollie Watkins almost made Jackson pay with a powerful drive saved by Djordje Petrovic at his near post, which the much-maligned Jackson should have buried.

In the 41st minute, Rogers doubled Villa’s lead, which Chelsea misjudged.

Given too much time and space on the edge of the area, Matty Cash’s pass allowed Rogers to score his third goal since joining Middlesbrough in January.

In the 62nd minute, Olsen had to pick the ball out of the net after Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez was forced to miss half-time due to an injury.

Pau Torres carelessly lost possession, with Gallagher’s touch reaching Madueke, who slotted a fine finish past the Swedish keeper from 10 yards.

Madueke almost completed Chelsea’s fightback, but his flicked effort was parried by Olsen.

Gallagher scored a superb curler into the far corner of the far corner in the 81st minute to give Chelsea a deserved point.