Aston Villa against Chelsea

Nathan Delfouneso is very isolated up front for Villa, his flicked header finds no one and Villa are once again on the back foot.

Chelsea beginning to up the pressure on Villa, but they are standing firm, throwing there bodies in the way of every Chelsea attack. In the end, Ashley Cole fires a rash shot over the bar.

Steve Sidwell's first contribution is to be caught offside from a Villa free kick, very poor.

A disappointing performance from Ireland, he really should have put Villa in the lead with that early chance.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Steve Sidwell on for Stephen Ireland</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>McEachran</b> unfortunate to be in the book, adjudged to have followed through on Habib Beye.

John Terry inadvertedly clears the cross, Terry fouls Ireland as Villa try to break.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Ashley Young</b> cautioned for dissent after tugging back Bosingwa. Promising free kick for Chelsea...

James Collins hits the post!!! A magnificent cross from Young, Clark flicked in on, Cech was beaten and the header came back agonisingly off the post!

Ivanovic involved again, bringing down Young and giving Villa a chance to put the ball in the box...

Ivanovic hits the post!!! The Serb meets the corner with a powerful header only to see it clatter off the near post! The closest we've come to a goal.

Habib Beye is forced to turn the ball behind under pressure fro Bosingwa...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Jose Boswinga on for Paulo Ferreira, Josh McEachran</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Ciaran Clark</b> is carded for a high foot left in on Anelka.

Downing's corner is cleared inside the six-yard box by the Chelsea defence.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Nathan Delfouneso on for John Carew</b>

Another Villa corner, Young twisting Ferreira inside out and the Portuguese puts it out.

The corner falls to James Collins at the far post, his shot hits a defender and could go anywhere, luckily for Chelsea it flies away from goal.

A second corner for Villa, Ferreira heading away at the far post...

Corner to Villa after Young attempts to find Ireland with a chipped ball...

Nathan Delfouneso is getting ready to come on for Villa, Houllier is going to take a gamble on the youngster.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Stephen Ireland</b> booked for attempting to haul down Malouda.

Malouda evades challenge after challenge with a wonderful run, he releases Anelka who bares down on James Collins. He shifts onto his left foot and mis-hits his shot well wide.

The cross hits Downing on its way out of play, but a goal kick is given.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Stephen Warnock</b> carded for a trip on Anelka, Chelsea free kick in a dangerous area...

Anelka finds some rare space in the Villa backline, his cross hits a defender and is just too high for Ramires.

Chelsea contuing to see plenty of possession, but at the moment Villa are restricting them to long-range efforts.

Ashley Young rejoins the action as Chelsea concede a cheap throw in.

Young is up and has to leave the field, but he should be back and seems to be fine.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>John Terry</b> is booked for a cynical trip on Ashley Young, who is down and is some distress.

The atmosphere is strangely flat at Villa Park, maybe reflective of Chelsea's superiority.

Warnock wastes a real opportunity to break for Villa, in acres of spaces he chooses to deliver a poor cross, which neither Ireland nor Carew can get on the end of.

Houllier's men enjoying a rare spell of possession at the start of the second half, eventually losing it through Carew.

Villa look to break, but Carew's chip over the top is too long for Ashley Young. The home side are struggling a little at the moment.

A wonderful pass from Mikel, spraying his through-ball over the Villa defence to Anelka. He takes a touch, cuts inside a fires a low shot which is saved by the legs of Friedel.

Malouda trips Petrov as he looks to spring forward, free kick Villa.

Villa are struggling to get out of their own half at the minute and Chelsea look comfortable in possession.

James Collins coming under a lot of pressure on the edge of the Villa box, eventually finding Warnock who can clear.

John Carew is penalised for a barge on John Terry, that looked very harsh indeed.

Chelsea have made a confident start to the second half. Malouda attempting to get beyond Clark, but his touch is heavy and it's a Villa goal kick.

Chelsea threatening early on, Malouda gets to the byline and tries to find Anelka in the six-yard box. Villa managed to get the ball away, Clark's clearance striking Collins and the Welshman hoofs up field.

Ashley Cole is straight on the front foot again, Beye shepherding the ball out of play for a goal kick.

<b>KICK OFF</b> Chelsea start the second half.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Yuri Zhirkov on for Gael Kakuta</b>

What this game needs is a goal. You feel going behind would give either side the impetus to push players forward.

Gerard Houllier will be pleased with the discipline his side have shown, restricting Chelsea to long-range shots. He will be disappointed with the chances they have wasted, especially Ireland's in the opening moments.

Chelsea seem to be missing the spark provided by both Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, Ancelotti will expect much better in the second half.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Goalless at the break. Chelsea have enjoyed the lion's share of possession, but Villa have wasted some very good opportunities.

<b>ONE MINUTE ADDED TIME</b>

Villa earn another corner as Young's cross is blocked, Collins meets it but heads way over of the crossbar.

A good ball in, well defended and Chelsea clear.

Ashley Young ducks inside and tries to shoot, his effort hits Mikel and it's a Villa corner...

The cross hits the first man, Warnock heading it clear.

Petrov fouls Essien and Chelsea with a chance to put the ball into the box.

Five minutes to go until half time and we still await the breakthrough.

Ramires whips in a deep inswinging cross for Chelsea, it floats harmlessly out for a goal kick.

Stephen Ireland again coming close, Petrov in behind Chelsea and cutting back to Ireland. His goal-bound shot is blocked by Ivanovic, Villa claim handball but their claims are correctly ignored.

Neat link up play between Ireland and Carew, throw to Villa deep in Chelsea territory.

A slightly subdued atmosphere at Villa Park, the crowd waiting for something to bring them to life.

Villa will be regretting the early chances they squandered. Chelsea are looking far more solid now.

Neat footwork from Anelka, shifting on to his left foot and hitting a wayward strike wide.

Michael Essien shoots from 25 yards, it's on target but straight at Friedel. Chelsea starting to take control.

Kakuta scoops a volley high into the night sky and out for a goal kick.

Ashley Cole once again deep in Villa territory, his cross cleared by Beye for a corner.

Reo-Coker attempts to chase down a long ball, with Ivanovic facing his own goal, the Villa man brings him down.

Michael Essien with a wretched half volley, he mis-cued left-foot shot ends up bouncing out for a throw in.

Chelsea are gradually starting to take charge of possession, trying to unlock the Villa rearguard.

A momentary mix up between Terry and Cech. Stewart Downing's cross causing confusion, Terry let the ball bounce and Cech smothered it with Carew waiting to pounce.

Malouda flicks the corner on at the near post, but Reo-Coker closes down Ramires as he prepares to shoot and Warnock clears.

Chelsea will have been buoyed by the United result earlier, and they have a chance to worry Villa with a corner...

Downing hacks clear the delivery, he's doing a lot of good work defensively early on.

Ashley Young then fouls Ferreira and Chelsea have another free kick out on the touchline...

Petrov trips Ramires and it's a Chelsea free kick in the centre circle.

A strong start from Villa, Chelsea are certainly in a game here.

Petrov with another attempt at goal, this time it's very ambitious and trickles harmlessly wide of Cech's post.

A loose pass from Ciaran Clark needlessly concedes possession for Villa, Malouda's cross is then headed clear by Stewart Downing, who tracked back with Ashley Cole.

Downing's corner is met by the head of Carew, but his looping header is easy for Petr Cech.

Another effort from Villa, Ireland tees up Petrov for a shot which is deflected wide...

The game has settled down a bit after hectic opening, both sides trying to keep possession.

The corner is once again taken short, Ramires eventually whips in a cross that falls to Kakuta, who lashes a half volley wide.

Ashley Cole attempting to get forward again, Beye tracks him but is forced to concede a corner...

Chelsea take the corner short and Anelka knocks a sloppy pass out of play. A waste.

Chelsea have a corner after Downing and Cole challenge for the ball...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Ciaran Clark on for Richard Dunne</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Michael Essien</b> is the first man in the book for a trip on Petrov.

Ciaran Clark is preparing to be introduced for Villa, clearly Dunne will not be returning.

Dunne is set to receive treatment on a cut to his ankle, can Chelsea take advantage with Villa down to ten?

Kakuta takes a nasty blow to the mouth, getting in the way of a Reo-Coker clearance.

Ashley Cole obstructs Petrov, free kick Villa on the halfway line.

Richard Dunne is receiving treatment on the sidelines after injuring himself in a heavy challenge on Kakuta. He looks like he should be able to continue.

Carew escapes the Chelsea defence again, eventually he is crowded out, but Aston Villa have started excellently here.

Downing's corner is headed away by Chelsea.

John Carew goes through on goal and forces a good low save from Petr Cech, what a start! Corner to Villa...

Foul harshly given against Nicolas Anelka, he's adjudged to have backed into Richard Dunne.

Stephen Ireland wastes a wonderful early chance for Aston Villa!!! Stewart Downing burst down the right, he slipped in Ireland, who curled an effort past Cech and wide of the post. He should have scored!

John Carew attempts to get his first touch of the match, but Habib Beye's long ball slips under his feet.

<b>KICK OFF</b> Aston Villa start the match.

The teams are making there way onto the pitch, nearly time for kick off.

Emile Heskey has lost his race to be fit for this clash, John Carew starts up front. Stephen Ireland comes in for Marc Albrighton and Habib Beye starts at right back.

Team news, no Drogba, Lampard or Alex for Chelsea. In come Gael Kakuta, Nicolas Anelka an Paulo Ferreira.

Gerard Houllier can give his Villa regime a real shot in the arm with a win over the champions.

What an opportunity for Chelsea this evening, after United's draw with West Brom, they can open up a seven-point lead with victory over Aston Villa.

Join us from 1715 BST for live text commentary of Aston Villa v Chelsea as the champions look to add to their tally of ten goals in the last two games against the Villans.

Downing's corner is cleared inside the six-yard box by the Chelsea defence.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Nathan Delfouneso on for John Carew</b>

Another Villa corner, Young twisting Ferreira inside out and the Portuguese puts it out.

The corner falls to James Collins at the far post, his shot hits a defender and could go anywhere, luckily for Chelsea it flies away from goal.

A second corner for Villa, Ferreira heading away at the far post...

Corner to Villa after Young attempts to find Ireland with a chipped ball...

Nathan Delfouneso is getting ready to come on for Villa, Houllier is going to take a gamble on the youngster.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Stephen Ireland</b> booked for attempting to haul down Malouda.

Malouda evades challenge after challenge with a wonderful run, he releases Anelka who bares down on James Collins. He shifts onto his left foot and mis-hits his shot well wide.

The cross hits Downing on its way out of play, but a goal kick is given.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Stephen Warnock</b> carded for a trip on Anelka, Chelsea free kick in a dangerous area...

Anelka finds some rare space in the Villa backline, his cross hits a defender and is just too high for Ramires.

Chelsea contuing to see plenty of possession, but at the moment Villa are restricting them to long-range efforts.

Ashley Young rejoins the action as Chelsea concede a cheap throw in.

Young is up and has to leave the field, but he should be back and seems to be fine.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>John Terry</b> is booked for a cynical trip on Ashley Young, who is down and is some distress.

The atmosphere is strangely flat at Villa Park, maybe reflective of Chelsea's superiority.

Warnock wastes a real opportunity to break for Villa, in acres of spaces he chooses to deliver a poor cross, which neither Ireland nor Carew can get on the end of.

Houllier's men enjoying a rare spell of possession at the start of the second half, eventually losing it through Carew.

Villa look to break, but Carew's chip over the top is too long for Ashley Young. The home side are struggling a little at the moment.

A wonderful pass from Mikel, spraying his through-ball over the Villa defence to Anelka. He takes a touch, cuts inside a fires a low shot which is saved by the legs of Friedel.

Malouda trips Petrov as he looks to spring forward, free kick Villa.

Villa are struggling to get out of their own half at the minute and Chelsea look comfortable in possession.

James Collins coming under a lot of pressure on the edge of the Villa box, eventually finding Warnock who can clear.

John Carew is penalised for a barge on John Terry, that looked very harsh indeed.

Chelsea have made a confident start to the second half. Malouda attempting to get beyond Clark, but his touch is heavy and it's a Villa goal kick.

Chelsea threatening early on, Malouda gets to the byline and tries to find Anelka in the six-yard box. Villa managed to get the ball away, Clark's clearance striking Collins and the Welshman hoofs up field.

Ashley Cole is straight on the front foot again, Beye shepherding the ball out of play for a goal kick.

<b>KICK OFF</b> Chelsea start the second half.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Yuri Zhirkov on for Gael Kakuta</b>

What this game needs is a goal. You feel going behind would give either side the impetus to push players forward.

Gerard Houllier will be pleased with the discipline his side have shown, restricting Chelsea to long-range shots. He will be disappointed with the chances they have wasted, especially Ireland's in the opening moments.

Chelsea seem to be missing the spark provided by both Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, Ancelotti will expect much better in the second half.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Goalless at the break. Chelsea have enjoyed the lion's share of possession, but Villa have wasted some very good opportunities.

<b>ONE MINUTE ADDED TIME</b>

Villa earn another corner as Young's cross is blocked, Collins meets it but heads way over of the crossbar.

A good ball in, well defended and Chelsea clear.

Ashley Young ducks inside and tries to shoot, his effort hits Mikel and it's a Villa corner...

The cross hits the first man, Warnock heading it clear.

Petrov fouls Essien and Chelsea with a chance to put the ball into the box.

Five minutes to go until half time and we still await the breakthrough.

Ramires whips in a deep inswinging cross for Chelsea, it floats harmlessly out for a goal kick.

Stephen Ireland again coming close, Petrov in behind Chelsea and cutting back to Ireland. His goal-bound shot is blocked by Ivanovic, Villa claim handball but their claims are correctly ignored.

Neat link up play between Ireland and Carew, throw to Villa deep in Chelsea territory.

A slightly subdued atmosphere at Villa Park, the crowd waiting for something to bring them to life.

Villa will be regretting the early chances they squandered. Chelsea are looking far more solid now.

Neat footwork from Anelka, shifting on to his left foot and hitting a wayward strike wide.

Michael Essien shoots from 25 yards, it's on target but straight at Friedel. Chelsea starting to take control.

Kakuta scoops a volley high into the night sky and out for a goal kick.

Ashley Cole once again deep in Villa territory, his cross cleared by Beye for a corner.

Reo-Coker attempts to chase down a long ball, with Ivanovic facing his own goal, the Villa man brings him down.

Michael Essien with a wretched half volley, he mis-cued left-foot shot ends up bouncing out for a throw in.

Chelsea are gradually starting to take charge of possession, trying to unlock the Villa rearguard.

A momentary mix up between Terry and Cech. Stewart Downing's cross causing confusion, Terry let the ball bounce and Cech smothered it with Carew waiting to pounce.

Malouda flicks the corner on at the near post, but Reo-Coker closes down Ramires as he prepares to shoot and Warnock clears.

Chelsea will have been buoyed by the United result earlier, and they have a chance to worry Villa with a corner...

Downing hacks clear the delivery, he's doing a lot of good work defensively early on.

Ashley Young then fouls Ferreira and Chelsea have another free kick out on the touchline...

Petrov trips Ramires and it's a Chelsea free kick in the centre circle.

A strong start from Villa, Chelsea are certainly in a game here.

Petrov with another attempt at goal, this time it's very ambitious and trickles harmlessly wide of Cech's post.

A loose pass from Ciaran Clark needlessly concedes possession for Villa, Malouda's cross is then headed clear by Stewart Downing, who tracked back with Ashley Cole.

Downing's corner is met by the head of Carew, but his looping header is easy for Petr Cech.

Another effort from Villa, Ireland tees up Petrov for a shot which is deflected wide...

The game has settled down a bit after hectic opening, both sides trying to keep possession.

The corner is once again taken short, Ramires eventually whips in a cross that falls to Kakuta, who lashes a half volley wide.

Ashley Cole attempting to get forward again, Beye tracks him but is forced to concede a corner...

Chelsea take the corner short and Anelka knocks a sloppy pass out of play. A waste.

Chelsea have a corner after Downing and Cole challenge for the ball...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Ciaran Clark on for Richard Dunne</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Michael Essien</b> is the first man in the book for a trip on Petrov.

Ciaran Clark is preparing to be introduced for Villa, clearly Dunne will not be returning.

Dunne is set to receive treatment on a cut to his ankle, can Chelsea take advantage with Villa down to ten?

Kakuta takes a nasty blow to the mouth, getting in the way of a Reo-Coker clearance.

Ashley Cole obstructs Petrov, free kick Villa on the halfway line.

Richard Dunne is receiving treatment on the sidelines after injuring himself in a heavy challenge on Kakuta. He looks like he should be able to continue.

Carew escapes the Chelsea defence again, eventually he is crowded out, but Aston Villa have started excellently here.

Downing's corner is headed away by Chelsea.

John Carew goes through on goal and forces a good low save from Petr Cech, what a start! Corner to Villa...

Foul harshly given against Nicolas Anelka, he's adjudged to have backed into Richard Dunne.

Stephen Ireland wastes a wonderful early chance for Aston Villa!!! Stewart Downing burst down the right, he slipped in Ireland, who curled an effort past Cech and wide of the post. He should have scored!

John Carew attempts to get his first touch of the match, but Habib Beye's long ball slips under his feet.

<b>KICK OFF</b> Aston Villa start the match.

The teams are making there way onto the pitch, nearly time for kick off.

Emile Heskey has lost his race to be fit for this clash, John Carew starts up front. Stephen Ireland comes in for Marc Albrighton and Habib Beye starts at right back.

Team news, no Drogba, Lampard or Alex for Chelsea. In come Gael Kakuta, Nicolas Anelka an Paulo Ferreira.

Gerard Houllier can give his Villa regime a real shot in the arm with a win over the champions.

What an opportunity for Chelsea this evening, after United's draw with West Brom, they can open up a seven-point lead with victory over Aston Villa.

Join us from 1715 BST for live text commentary of Aston Villa v Chelsea as the champions look to add to their tally of ten goals in the last two games against the Villans.