Full-Time: ASTON VILLA 0-1 CHELSEA. The whistle goes for full-time and the Chelsea fans celebrate an important win.
90
John Carew takes his shot too early and the ball flashes across goal.
90
Deco does really well to release Michael Ballack whose effort is tipped over the bar by Brad Friedel.
90
There are four minutes of added time.
90
Substitution
Didier Drogba is replaced by Juliano Belletti.
89
The free-kick is well cleared by Chelsea.
89
Yellow Card
John Terry is booked for a foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor and Villa have a dangerous free-kick.
88
John Terry can't make any contact with the ball from the corner and Villa try to build again.
87
Chelsea win another corner, if the crowd gives the ball to Frank Lampard.
85
Yellow Card
Mark Halsey has lost patience with Chelsea and Bosingwa is booked for timewasting.
84
Yellow Card
Michael Ballack goes into the book for a foul on Ashley Young.
83
Chelsea come forward and the ball rebounds off Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba has a snapshot which is wide.
81
Deco shows some good touches to win the ball back from Villa but his shot is well wide of Brad Friedel's goal.
80
Gareth Barry's corner is headed wide by John Carew.
78
Villa win a free-kick after Gabriel Agbonlahor is fouled and all the big men are forward, but Gareth Barry's ball is straight at Petr Cech.
77
Gareth Barry can't find his way through a crowded penalty area and another effort goes wide.
75
Gareth Barry's effort is straight at Petr Cech for a comfortable save.
74
Chelsea do not look as commanding since Guus Hiddink brought Deco on and changed the shape of his team.
72
Luke Young sends in a high ball which is well caught by Petr Cech.
71
Substitution
John Carew comes on for Curtis Davies.
70
Emile Heskey sends in a great ball across the box but Gabriel Agbonlahor is the only Villa player there and he can't make any contact.
69
Chelsea are starting to look a little vulnerable as Villa pile on the pressure.
68
Gareth Barry drives in a shot which is saved by Petr Cech and James Milner can't make the most of the follow-up.
66
The Villa fans are showing their frustration at some early time-wasting by the Chelsea players.
65
The corner is well defended by Villa.
64
Frank Lampard's shot is deflected behind for another corner after a swift counter from Chelsea.
62
The match is going through a lull and Villa need to pick up the pace again.
61
The game is becoming a little stop-start with lots of free-kicks.
60
James Milner's cross into the near post is caught by Petr Cech.
58
Ashley Young has another free-kick which is cleared towards Didier Drogba by Michael Ballack.
57
The Villa fans are doing their best to encourage their team.
56
Substitution
Souza Deco comes on to replace Salomon Kalou.
55
Villa re trying to force the pace now but James Milner's corner is palmed away to safety by Petr Cech.
54
Gabriel Agbonlahor drives into the area and forces a great save from Petr Cech at the near post.
53
Yellow Card
Carlos Cuellar is booked during a break in play for an earlier foul on Nicolas Anelka.
52
Ashley Young's free-kick is loose in the area and eventually cleared by Alex.
50
John Terry's header from Frank Lampard's corner is cleared off the line by Stiliyan Petrov at the near post.
49
Chelsea have already won another corner but Frank Lampard's kick is poor and easily cleared for another corner.
48
Gabriel Agbonlahor shows his pace down the left-hand side but his cross is overhit.
Second half
Chelsea get the second half underway.
Half time
Mark Halsey blows for half-time and Chelsea deserve their lead after an impressive first 45 minutes.
45
There is one minute of added play.
45
The Chelsea fans are in full voice as half-time approaches.
43
Ashley Young sends in another great free-kick and Zat Knight can't make contact, but should have done better.
41
Villa look dangerous on the counterattack with the pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor and that could be their best chance of scoring.
39
Ashley Young's ball into the area travels a long way but Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor can't reach it.
37
Chelsea are starting to dictate the pace of the game in midfield and Villa need to get back into the match.
36
Villa are giving the ball away too much to the frustration of the home fans.
34
Ashley Young's free-kick from the edge of the area hits the crossbar and Emile Heskey heads wide from the rebound.
32
John Terry's goalbound header from the corner is saved by Brad Friedel for another corner.
31
Frank Lampard has an effort which is deflected behind for a corner.
30
Emile Heskey beats John Terry and finds Ashley Young but his cross is straight at Petr Cech.
29
Didier Drogba breezes past the Villa defence but his cross is picked up by Brad Friedel.
27
Villa look dangerous when they come forward with Chelsea looking a little shaky in defence.
26
Chelsea come forward again but Michael Ballack's effort goes wide.
24
John Obi Mikel concedes a free-kick for a foul on Emile Heskey which Ashley Young takes but Stiliyan Petrov smashes the ball wide.
23
Frank Lampard is excelling so far and Chelsea just about deserve their lead.
21
The home fans were stunned into silence but have found their voices again now.
19
Goal
ASTON VILLA 0-1 CHELSEA. Nicolas ANELKA scores the first goal of Guus Hiddink's Chelsea stewardship with a fine chip over the advancing Brad Friedel after good play by Frank Lampard.
18
James Milner sends in a great cross into the area after loose play from Paulo Ferreira but Alex is able to clear the danger.
17
Both teams are contributing to an entertaining opening to the game and both are looking for the win.
15
Chelsea have a free-kick in a dangerous position 30 yards out after Nicolas Anelka is tripped but Frank Lampard drives it into the wall.
13
Villa break after Salomon Kalou fails to control the ball in the area but Ashley Young gives Gabriel Agbonlahor too much to do with a return pass.
12
James Milner chips a ball towards Emile Heskey but Petr Cech is able to beat the striker to the ball.
10
Gabriel Agbonlahor forces a save from Petr Cech with a quick turn and shot inside the area.
9
Frank Lampard turns and shoots from 25 yards out and his effort is only a yard over the bar.
8
Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba combine well from the corner but Stiliyan Petrov is able to clear the ball long upfield.
7
Chelsea are building up the pressure and have another corner after Zat Knight was forced to clear a ball high over his own goal.
5
The corner is cleared by Villa.
5
Chelsea have their first corner after a free-kick is put out by a Villa defender.
4
Petr Cech doesn't deal with James Milner's cross but Emile Heskey puts his effort over the bar under pressure from John Terry.
3
Frank Lampard finds Didier Drogba who has a low shot from the right hand side of the penalty area which is straight at Brad Friedel.
2
There's a great atmosphere inside Villa Park and the home side have made a bright start.
1
Kickoff
The game is underway.
Awaiting Kickoff
An intriguing contest is in prospect at Villa Park - can Villa win to go level with Liverpool or will Chelsea get three points to go above the Midlanders?
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Full time
Full-Time: ASTON VILLA 0-1 CHELSEA. The whistle goes for full-time and the Chelsea fans celebrate an important win.
John Carew takes his shot too early and the ball flashes across goal.
Deco does really well to release Michael Ballack whose effort is tipped over the bar by Brad Friedel.
There are four minutes of added time.
Substitution
Didier Drogba is replaced by Juliano Belletti.
The free-kick is well cleared by Chelsea.
Yellow Card
John Terry is booked for a foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor and Villa have a dangerous free-kick.
John Terry can't make any contact with the ball from the corner and Villa try to build again.
Chelsea win another corner, if the crowd gives the ball to Frank Lampard.
Yellow Card
Mark Halsey has lost patience with Chelsea and Bosingwa is booked for timewasting.
Yellow Card
Michael Ballack goes into the book for a foul on Ashley Young.
Chelsea come forward and the ball rebounds off Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba has a snapshot which is wide.
Deco shows some good touches to win the ball back from Villa but his shot is well wide of Brad Friedel's goal.
Gareth Barry's corner is headed wide by John Carew.
Villa win a free-kick after Gabriel Agbonlahor is fouled and all the big men are forward, but Gareth Barry's ball is straight at Petr Cech.
Gareth Barry can't find his way through a crowded penalty area and another effort goes wide.
Gareth Barry's effort is straight at Petr Cech for a comfortable save.
Chelsea do not look as commanding since Guus Hiddink brought Deco on and changed the shape of his team.
Luke Young sends in a high ball which is well caught by Petr Cech.
Substitution
John Carew comes on for Curtis Davies.
Emile Heskey sends in a great ball across the box but Gabriel Agbonlahor is the only Villa player there and he can't make any contact.
Chelsea are starting to look a little vulnerable as Villa pile on the pressure.
Gareth Barry drives in a shot which is saved by Petr Cech and James Milner can't make the most of the follow-up.
The Villa fans are showing their frustration at some early time-wasting by the Chelsea players.
The corner is well defended by Villa.
Frank Lampard's shot is deflected behind for another corner after a swift counter from Chelsea.
The match is going through a lull and Villa need to pick up the pace again.
The game is becoming a little stop-start with lots of free-kicks.
James Milner's cross into the near post is caught by Petr Cech.
Ashley Young has another free-kick which is cleared towards Didier Drogba by Michael Ballack.
The Villa fans are doing their best to encourage their team.
Substitution
Souza Deco comes on to replace Salomon Kalou.
Villa re trying to force the pace now but James Milner's corner is palmed away to safety by Petr Cech.
Gabriel Agbonlahor drives into the area and forces a great save from Petr Cech at the near post.
Yellow Card
Carlos Cuellar is booked during a break in play for an earlier foul on Nicolas Anelka.
Ashley Young's free-kick is loose in the area and eventually cleared by Alex.
John Terry's header from Frank Lampard's corner is cleared off the line by Stiliyan Petrov at the near post.
Chelsea have already won another corner but Frank Lampard's kick is poor and easily cleared for another corner.
Gabriel Agbonlahor shows his pace down the left-hand side but his cross is overhit.
Second half
Chelsea get the second half underway.
Half time
Mark Halsey blows for half-time and Chelsea deserve their lead after an impressive first 45 minutes.
There is one minute of added play.
The Chelsea fans are in full voice as half-time approaches.
Ashley Young sends in another great free-kick and Zat Knight can't make contact, but should have done better.
Villa look dangerous on the counterattack with the pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor and that could be their best chance of scoring.
Ashley Young's ball into the area travels a long way but Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor can't reach it.
Chelsea are starting to dictate the pace of the game in midfield and Villa need to get back into the match.
Villa are giving the ball away too much to the frustration of the home fans.
Ashley Young's free-kick from the edge of the area hits the crossbar and Emile Heskey heads wide from the rebound.
John Terry's goalbound header from the corner is saved by Brad Friedel for another corner.
Frank Lampard has an effort which is deflected behind for a corner.
Emile Heskey beats John Terry and finds Ashley Young but his cross is straight at Petr Cech.
Didier Drogba breezes past the Villa defence but his cross is picked up by Brad Friedel.
Villa look dangerous when they come forward with Chelsea looking a little shaky in defence.
Chelsea come forward again but Michael Ballack's effort goes wide.
John Obi Mikel concedes a free-kick for a foul on Emile Heskey which Ashley Young takes but Stiliyan Petrov smashes the ball wide.
Frank Lampard is excelling so far and Chelsea just about deserve their lead.
The home fans were stunned into silence but have found their voices again now.
Goal
ASTON VILLA 0-1 CHELSEA. Nicolas ANELKA scores the first goal of Guus Hiddink's Chelsea stewardship with a fine chip over the advancing Brad Friedel after good play by Frank Lampard.
James Milner sends in a great cross into the area after loose play from Paulo Ferreira but Alex is able to clear the danger.
Both teams are contributing to an entertaining opening to the game and both are looking for the win.
Chelsea have a free-kick in a dangerous position 30 yards out after Nicolas Anelka is tripped but Frank Lampard drives it into the wall.
Villa break after Salomon Kalou fails to control the ball in the area but Ashley Young gives Gabriel Agbonlahor too much to do with a return pass.
James Milner chips a ball towards Emile Heskey but Petr Cech is able to beat the striker to the ball.
Gabriel Agbonlahor forces a save from Petr Cech with a quick turn and shot inside the area.
Frank Lampard turns and shoots from 25 yards out and his effort is only a yard over the bar.
Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba combine well from the corner but Stiliyan Petrov is able to clear the ball long upfield.
Chelsea are building up the pressure and have another corner after Zat Knight was forced to clear a ball high over his own goal.
The corner is cleared by Villa.
Chelsea have their first corner after a free-kick is put out by a Villa defender.
Petr Cech doesn't deal with James Milner's cross but Emile Heskey puts his effort over the bar under pressure from John Terry.
Frank Lampard finds Didier Drogba who has a low shot from the right hand side of the penalty area which is straight at Brad Friedel.
There's a great atmosphere inside Villa Park and the home side have made a bright start.
Kickoff
The game is underway.
Awaiting Kickoff
An intriguing contest is in prospect at Villa Park - can Villa win to go level with Liverpool or will Chelsea get three points to go above the Midlanders?