Chelsea against Aston Villa

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> John Terry has won it for Chelsea!

That Villa substitution could have been made before Drogba scored but Albrighton wasn't ready to come on, meaning Villa had ten men while the injured Agbonlahor was unable to continue. If Villa had been quicker they could have got Albrighton on and may not have conceded that goal.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Albrighton on, Agbonlahor off</b>

Chelsea still throwing everything at Villa, and they sense victory.

The stubborn resistence of Villa is broken. Drogba initially won the header, flicking on to Kalou in the box. The ball fell back into the path of Drogba, who took it around one defender before drilling it through a crowd of Villa bodies from close-range.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Drogba equalises for Chelsea!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/emileheskeygoal20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Emile Heskey heads Villa into a 2-1 lead

An almightly scramble inside the Villa box. Malouda, Sturridge and Lampard all had shots at goal but Villa are defending for their lives now. Hairy moment for the visitors.

Good play by Villa again as Agbonlahor stretches his legs against Bosingwa. His low cross is laid off by Heskey to Young, whose shot is blocked well by John Terry.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Sturridge on, Anelka off</b>

Jose Bosingwa smacks the ball into his own face and concedes a corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>John Terry</b> is cautioned for a wild challenge on Ashley Young. I make that yellow card number 9.

Kalou dances into the box from the right and tries to get around Richard Dunne with a series of stepovers, but Dunne dives in with another perfectly timed tackle. Dunne has been excellent today.

Downing cuts in from the right and sends a drive straight into the arms of Cech.

Brave change by Ancelotti, who has replaced a midfielder with an attacker. It's all or nothing for Chelsea.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Kalou on, Ramires off</b>

Chelsea still dominating possession. Ancelotti looking pensive. The clock is ticking...

Chelsea are cranking up the pressure here and you get the feeling that it will be very difficult for Villa to hang on to the lead.

Another great save by Brad Friedel again! Lampard finds Malouda who makes a darting run into the box from the right, but the American keeper comes out to smother Malouda's shot brilliantly.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/ashleyyoungemileheskeyceleb20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Ashley Young congratulates Emile Heskey as Villa go 2-1 up

Chelsea piling on the pressure here. They are camped in Villa's half but the Midlanders are hanging on. 25 mins to go.

What chance for Chelsea! Drogba finds Malouda who sets up Lampard with a chance to volley it towards goal from 12 yards out - but Friedel pulls off a great save to tip it over and deny Lampard. Corner.

Bosingwa has offered Chelsea something else going forward but they still lack bite.

Charging run by Agbonlahor down the left wing is rewarded with a corner. But Cech plucks it from the sky under no pressure whatsoever.

Ancelotti puts Ferreira out of his misery. The boy's had a 'mare.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Bosingwa on, Ferreira off</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/villacelebration20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Ashley Young and Emile Heskey have put Aston Villa into the lead

Great chance for Chelsea! Anelka finds Ramires in the box but Ramires sends his cross across the face of goal and agonisingly wide of the far post. Friedel was beaten but just the wrong side of the woodwork.

Ramires bursts through the Villa midfield and fires a shot at goal from the edge of the box which is deflected off James Collins for a corner.

Chelsea have dominated possession since Villa took the lead but have done very little with the ball. Typical of their season.

Bruma tried desperately to flick Downing's cross clear but there was no stopping Heskey there. A powerful header from close-range by the former England man. Chelsea really up against it now.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Heskey</b> makes it 7 yellow cards for Villa, as he is cautioned for a foul.

Stewart Downing gets the better of Ashley Cole and sends a right-footed cross to the back post where Heskey gets ahead of Bruma and nods home.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Villa have taken the lead! It's Emile Heskey.

Another big mistake by Ferreira! He really has been awful. His misplaced pass puts Bruma and Terry in a mess and Cech has to come out and save Chelsea.

Chelsea get the second half underway.

<i>Former Villa striker Stan Collymore on Twitter:</i> "The big 3 all getting big decisions they don't deserve yet again.Joke"

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/ashleyyoungceleb20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Ashley Young celebrates after netting an equaliser for Villa from the penalty spot

<i>Stat:</i> Villa have had six players booked in the first half of this game. Only one side has had more booked in a whole Premier League game this season.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/petrcechvillapenalty20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Petr Cech dives the wrong way as Ashley Young levels from the penalty spot

In all the excitement of Villa's penalty award I didn't have time to tell you about Ferreira's daft clearance, which caused Essien to take the action he did in having to foul Reo-Coker. It was a poor half-clearance which just put Chelsea under even more pressure.

And the referee calls time on the first half. Villa have certainly caused Chelsea problems and deserve to be all-square at half-time. It's 1-1 and all to play for.

That's Villa sixth yellow card of the half, and the seventh of the game. We may just see a red today...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> And just to add to the collection, <b>Clark</b> is cautioned for a foul as well.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Now <b>Agbonlahor</b> goes into the book for a foul.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/villapenaltyprotestations20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Lee Mason rejects the protestations of the Aston Villa players after awarding Chelsea a penalty

Young made no mistake from the spot, firing it powerfully beyond Friedel. Game on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Ashley Young scores! It's 1-1

Essien has upended Reo-Coker in the box and Villa have the chance to level things. Essien caught him late and a definite penalty. Young to take...

<b>PENALTY TO VILLA!</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Ramires</b> is booked for a foul on Petrov.

Bad miss by Richard Dunne! The ball was dinked into the box beautifully by Downing, Ferreira failed to clear, and it fell to Dunne who snatched at his shot as he tried to get over the ball, seeing it fly over. Dunne was not the man Villa wanted in that position at that moment.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/franklampardpenalty20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Frank Lampard fires Chelsea into a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot

Malouda picks up the ball on the right and carries it along the byline before rolling it across to Essien in the six-yard area, but Dunne is there again to stab it away.

Really good challenge by Dunne. No margin for error there.

Great ball by Lampard releases Ramires who leaves it for Malouda who is through on goal, but Dunne gets across to make a brilliant tackle in the box.

The TV cameras have zoomed in on Randy Lerner who is looking agitated.

The corner eventually finds it's way to Clark who sends a good header towards the Chelsea goal but Cech gathers it.

Young rolls it square to Petrov who shoots from the edge of the box and sees his shot deflected out for a corner. Not sure Villa are making the most of their set-pieces but they can keep the pressure on Chelsea here.

Ashley Young has been fouled by Paulo Ferreira, who again gives away a free kick in a dodgy position on the left. Young to take it...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Reo-Coker</b> is booked for a trip on Drogba. Villa clocking up these cautions now. It would be fair to say they are being frustrated by Chelsea and the referee.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Collins</b> also saw yellow for his protests at the penalty incident.

Villa in danger of losing their heads here. Heskey clatters into John Terry long after the ball is gone but escapes a caution.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Friedel</b> picked up a yellow card there for getting into referee Lee Mason's face. He was enraged that a penalty was given.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> 1-0 Chelsea. Lampard fires it high into the net and Chelsea lead.

Lampard to take the penalty...

Collins has dragged Malouda down in the box. On first impressions it looked soft but Collins' challenge was clumsy and Friedel is incensed!

<b>PENALTY TO CHELSEA!</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Petrov</b> is cautioned for a needless hack on Malouda. Definite yellow card.

Anelka whips in a cross from the right and Malouda gets a free header about 12 yards out but puts it wide.

Villa growing in confidence here.

Downing cuts in from the right and hits a curling drive from 20 yards but straight into the arms of Cech.

Villa, who have not won at Stamford Bridge since 2003, have started the brightly here.

Great effort by Ashley Young! Young tries to chip the keeper from the right corner of the penalty box and Cech, back-peddling, tips over his own bar. Not sure if Young meant to shoot or cross there. Shades of Ronaldinho vs England 2002.

Lovely sweeping pass from Dunne to Agbonlahor of the left wing again, but Agbonlahor doesn't look up and hits a cross straight to Cech. Wasteful by Villa, but it the visitors who are seeing more of the ball so far.

The free kick is cleared but Agbonlahor picks it up and attacks Ferreira down the left wing again. Villa have identified Ferreira as the weak link and are channelling their moves down that side of the pitch.

Anelka miscontrols the ball and Young pounces on his mistake and feeds Clark down the left, who is fouled by Ferreira. Villa free kick on the left wing.

The game is yet to settle into any kind of rhythm, with Villa giving as good as they get in the opening moments. Heskey proving to be a handful for Terry and Bruma.

Bruma wins the header from Malouda's corner but Villa get the ball clear.

Chance for Chelsea as Drogba drops off his man and hooks the ball over the top to Malouda who squeezes in a left-footed shot, which Friedel turns away at his near post for a Chelsea corner.

Heskey wins a header ahead of Terry and the ball drops to Agbonlahor, who pokes a snap shot towards goal but it flashes wide of Cech's right-hand post.

Chelsea are pinning Villa's right back, Carlos Cuellar, back into a corner but Chelsea concede a free-kick and the pressure is eased.

Aston Villa get us underway at Stamford Bridge

Equally so is the inclusion of Jeffrey Bruma at centre-back, with Branislav Ivanovic suspended. Paulo Ferreira plays at right back today, with Jose Bosingwa on the bench.

Somewhat surprising to see Marc Albrighton on the bench given how influential he's been for Villa this season, scoring against Spurs and Manchester United.

<b>ASTON VILLA:</b> Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Clark, Ashley Young, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Downing, Heskey, Agbonlahor. Subs: Marshall, Pires, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Bannan, Lichaj, Herd.

<b>CHELSEA:</b> Cech, Ferreira, Bruma, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Subs: Turnbull, Bosingwa, Kalou, Sturridge, Van Aanholt, McEachran, Mellis.

Hello everyone - Michael Da Silva here. Welcome to live coverage of Chelsea vs Aston Villa from Stamford Bridge. Neither of these sides have been in the best of form recently, meaning both sides crave victory today.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0101/jeffreybruma20101123_275x155.jpg"> Jeffrey Bruma is handed a start against Aston Villa.

Chelsea are looking for back-to-back wins for the first time since October, while Aston Villa are in freefall with just one Premier League win in eight.

We'll be kicking off today's live commentary of Chelsea vs Aston Villa at 1315 GMT. In the meantime, why not have a look at <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/859472/chelsea-boss-carlo-ancelotti-to-put-faith-in-jeffrey-bruma?cc=5739" target="_blank">why Carlo Ancelotti is putting his faith in Jeffrey Bruma today.</a>

Brave change by Ancelotti, who has replaced a midfielder with an attacker. It's all or nothing for Chelsea.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Kalou on, Ramires off</b>

Chelsea still dominating possession. Ancelotti looking pensive. The clock is ticking...

Chelsea are cranking up the pressure here and you get the feeling that it will be very difficult for Villa to hang on to the lead.

Another great save by Brad Friedel again! Lampard finds Malouda who makes a darting run into the box from the right, but the American keeper comes out to smother Malouda's shot brilliantly.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/ashleyyoungemileheskeyceleb20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Ashley Young congratulates Emile Heskey as Villa go 2-1 up

Chelsea piling on the pressure here. They are camped in Villa's half but the Midlanders are hanging on. 25 mins to go.

What chance for Chelsea! Drogba finds Malouda who sets up Lampard with a chance to volley it towards goal from 12 yards out - but Friedel pulls off a great save to tip it over and deny Lampard. Corner.

Bosingwa has offered Chelsea something else going forward but they still lack bite.

Charging run by Agbonlahor down the left wing is rewarded with a corner. But Cech plucks it from the sky under no pressure whatsoever.

Ancelotti puts Ferreira out of his misery. The boy's had a 'mare.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Bosingwa on, Ferreira off</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/villacelebration20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Ashley Young and Emile Heskey have put Aston Villa into the lead

Great chance for Chelsea! Anelka finds Ramires in the box but Ramires sends his cross across the face of goal and agonisingly wide of the far post. Friedel was beaten but just the wrong side of the woodwork.

Ramires bursts through the Villa midfield and fires a shot at goal from the edge of the box which is deflected off James Collins for a corner.

Chelsea have dominated possession since Villa took the lead but have done very little with the ball. Typical of their season.

Bruma tried desperately to flick Downing's cross clear but there was no stopping Heskey there. A powerful header from close-range by the former England man. Chelsea really up against it now.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Heskey</b> makes it 7 yellow cards for Villa, as he is cautioned for a foul.

Stewart Downing gets the better of Ashley Cole and sends a right-footed cross to the back post where Heskey gets ahead of Bruma and nods home.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Villa have taken the lead! It's Emile Heskey.

Another big mistake by Ferreira! He really has been awful. His misplaced pass puts Bruma and Terry in a mess and Cech has to come out and save Chelsea.

Chelsea get the second half underway.

<i>Former Villa striker Stan Collymore on Twitter:</i> "The big 3 all getting big decisions they don't deserve yet again.Joke"

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/ashleyyoungceleb20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Ashley Young celebrates after netting an equaliser for Villa from the penalty spot

<i>Stat:</i> Villa have had six players booked in the first half of this game. Only one side has had more booked in a whole Premier League game this season.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/petrcechvillapenalty20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Petr Cech dives the wrong way as Ashley Young levels from the penalty spot

In all the excitement of Villa's penalty award I didn't have time to tell you about Ferreira's daft clearance, which caused Essien to take the action he did in having to foul Reo-Coker. It was a poor half-clearance which just put Chelsea under even more pressure.

And the referee calls time on the first half. Villa have certainly caused Chelsea problems and deserve to be all-square at half-time. It's 1-1 and all to play for.

That's Villa sixth yellow card of the half, and the seventh of the game. We may just see a red today...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> And just to add to the collection, <b>Clark</b> is cautioned for a foul as well.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Now <b>Agbonlahor</b> goes into the book for a foul.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/villapenaltyprotestations20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Lee Mason rejects the protestations of the Aston Villa players after awarding Chelsea a penalty

Young made no mistake from the spot, firing it powerfully beyond Friedel. Game on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Ashley Young scores! It's 1-1

Essien has upended Reo-Coker in the box and Villa have the chance to level things. Essien caught him late and a definite penalty. Young to take...

<b>PENALTY TO VILLA!</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Ramires</b> is booked for a foul on Petrov.

Bad miss by Richard Dunne! The ball was dinked into the box beautifully by Downing, Ferreira failed to clear, and it fell to Dunne who snatched at his shot as he tried to get over the ball, seeing it fly over. Dunne was not the man Villa wanted in that position at that moment.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0102/franklampardpenalty20110102_275x155.jpg"><br>Frank Lampard fires Chelsea into a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot

Malouda picks up the ball on the right and carries it along the byline before rolling it across to Essien in the six-yard area, but Dunne is there again to stab it away.

Really good challenge by Dunne. No margin for error there.

Great ball by Lampard releases Ramires who leaves it for Malouda who is through on goal, but Dunne gets across to make a brilliant tackle in the box.

The TV cameras have zoomed in on Randy Lerner who is looking agitated.

The corner eventually finds it's way to Clark who sends a good header towards the Chelsea goal but Cech gathers it.

Young rolls it square to Petrov who shoots from the edge of the box and sees his shot deflected out for a corner. Not sure Villa are making the most of their set-pieces but they can keep the pressure on Chelsea here.

Ashley Young has been fouled by Paulo Ferreira, who again gives away a free kick in a dodgy position on the left. Young to take it...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Reo-Coker</b> is booked for a trip on Drogba. Villa clocking up these cautions now. It would be fair to say they are being frustrated by Chelsea and the referee.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Collins</b> also saw yellow for his protests at the penalty incident.

Villa in danger of losing their heads here. Heskey clatters into John Terry long after the ball is gone but escapes a caution.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Friedel</b> picked up a yellow card there for getting into referee Lee Mason's face. He was enraged that a penalty was given.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> 1-0 Chelsea. Lampard fires it high into the net and Chelsea lead.

Lampard to take the penalty...

Collins has dragged Malouda down in the box. On first impressions it looked soft but Collins' challenge was clumsy and Friedel is incensed!

<b>PENALTY TO CHELSEA!</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Petrov</b> is cautioned for a needless hack on Malouda. Definite yellow card.

Anelka whips in a cross from the right and Malouda gets a free header about 12 yards out but puts it wide.

Villa growing in confidence here.

Downing cuts in from the right and hits a curling drive from 20 yards but straight into the arms of Cech.

Villa, who have not won at Stamford Bridge since 2003, have started the brightly here.

Great effort by Ashley Young! Young tries to chip the keeper from the right corner of the penalty box and Cech, back-peddling, tips over his own bar. Not sure if Young meant to shoot or cross there. Shades of Ronaldinho vs England 2002.

Lovely sweeping pass from Dunne to Agbonlahor of the left wing again, but Agbonlahor doesn't look up and hits a cross straight to Cech. Wasteful by Villa, but it the visitors who are seeing more of the ball so far.

The free kick is cleared but Agbonlahor picks it up and attacks Ferreira down the left wing again. Villa have identified Ferreira as the weak link and are channelling their moves down that side of the pitch.

Anelka miscontrols the ball and Young pounces on his mistake and feeds Clark down the left, who is fouled by Ferreira. Villa free kick on the left wing.

The game is yet to settle into any kind of rhythm, with Villa giving as good as they get in the opening moments. Heskey proving to be a handful for Terry and Bruma.

Bruma wins the header from Malouda's corner but Villa get the ball clear.

Chance for Chelsea as Drogba drops off his man and hooks the ball over the top to Malouda who squeezes in a left-footed shot, which Friedel turns away at his near post for a Chelsea corner.

Heskey wins a header ahead of Terry and the ball drops to Agbonlahor, who pokes a snap shot towards goal but it flashes wide of Cech's right-hand post.

Chelsea are pinning Villa's right back, Carlos Cuellar, back into a corner but Chelsea concede a free-kick and the pressure is eased.

Aston Villa get us underway at Stamford Bridge

Equally so is the inclusion of Jeffrey Bruma at centre-back, with Branislav Ivanovic suspended. Paulo Ferreira plays at right back today, with Jose Bosingwa on the bench.

Somewhat surprising to see Marc Albrighton on the bench given how influential he's been for Villa this season, scoring against Spurs and Manchester United.

<b>ASTON VILLA:</b> Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Clark, Ashley Young, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Downing, Heskey, Agbonlahor. Subs: Marshall, Pires, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Bannan, Lichaj, Herd.

<b>CHELSEA:</b> Cech, Ferreira, Bruma, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Subs: Turnbull, Bosingwa, Kalou, Sturridge, Van Aanholt, McEachran, Mellis.

Hello everyone - Michael Da Silva here. Welcome to live coverage of Chelsea vs Aston Villa from Stamford Bridge. Neither of these sides have been in the best of form recently, meaning both sides crave victory today.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0101/jeffreybruma20101123_275x155.jpg"> Jeffrey Bruma is handed a start against Aston Villa.

Chelsea are looking for back-to-back wins for the first time since October, while Aston Villa are in freefall with just one Premier League win in eight.

We'll be kicking off today's live commentary of Chelsea vs Aston Villa at 1315 GMT. In the meantime, why not have a look at <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/859472/chelsea-boss-carlo-ancelotti-to-put-faith-in-jeffrey-bruma?cc=5739" target="_blank">why Carlo Ancelotti is putting his faith in Jeffrey Bruma today.</a>