Player Ratings: Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
Aston Villa:
Friedel 7.0 Made some strong saves, even if he did look uncertain under a few high balls.
Cuellar 5.5 Could not get to grips with the fluency in the Chelsea attack. Didn't know who he was marking when at right-back, and was booked. Offered little going forward from the full-back position.
L Young 6.5 Always willing to support his namesake on the flank and put in another efficient, tidy shift.
Knight 6.0 Cumbersome on the ground but competed well in the air.
Davies 5.5 Sacrificed to make way for Carew but had not imposed himself by that stage. A timid performance.
Barry 6.5 Played a variety of rolls, his energy permitting him to do so. Supported his forwards and was willing to take the ball from his centre-backs in equal measure. Unlucky not to score.
Petrov 5.0 Lacked the urgency needed to be on the winning side. Tidy passing display but lacked in authority and drive.
Milner 7.5 Outshone Ashley Young; provided a plethora of crosses and offered width throughout. Showed his versatility by filling in at right-back.
A Young 6.0 Unfair to describe it as an 'off-day', but he wasn't at his devastating best. Hitting the crossbar with a well-executed free-kick was the high point.
Agbonlahor 7.0 Had the measure of Alex and his willingness to run the channels forced Chelsea on the back foot at times.
Heskey 5.0 Ineffective display. Did not get the better of Terry, even if he did win his flick-ons.
Subs:
Carew 6.0 Changed the complexion of the Villa attack, but never made himself a goal threat.
Chelsea
Cech 7.0 Excellent shot-stopping throughout was matched by accurate distribution.
Bosingwa 8.0 All action display again; Coped with Young and gave his narrow midfield some width. Also, a goal threat in the closing stages.
Ferreira 6.5 Had one or two momentary lapses in concentration, but this was indeed a decent show having not played in the league for two months.
Alex 6.0 Looked a little awkward and indecisive when confronted with the speed-merchant, Agbonlahor. Committed in his blocks and challenges, however.
Terry 8.0 Dominant at both ends; had two good attacking headers blocked out and was scarcely caught at the other end.
Mikel 7.0 Simple, effective usage kept his side ticking over for the most part, but went missing as Chelsea struggled to retain the ball in the last quarter.
Ballack 6.5 Not as dominant in his play as his midfield colleague, Lampard. Laid off well to his team-mates and got forward when possible. Almost scored with a good, late strike.
Lampard 8.5 A first-half master-class would have had Guus Hiddink purring. Pulled the strings and provided the assist. Dead-balls were delivered with consistency, and it is difficult to recall a misplaced pass.
Anelka 8.0 One chance, one goal. He was a feature of the first-half but slipped under the radar for the most part.
Kalou 6.5 Withdrawn early in the second half as Chelsea changed shape, but acquitted himself well in the first 45 minutes.
Drogba 8.0 An encouraging display; attacked with verve, even if he is a little ring-rusty. Committed in defence and showed a good degree of responsibility.
Subs:
Deco 6.5 A nice cameo and helped the Blues change shape.
