[ReoCoker_20]

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/ReoCoker_20/villavschelsea1.pngMATCH REPORT
Saturday 3rd January 2009
Villa Park, Aston, Birmingham.
Kick off: 2pm

ASTON VILLA 0-3 CHELSEA

Villa park was the venue for today’s match and despite both teams missing key players due to England’s clash with Italy, fans from both teams showed up in full voice to support their teams. Villa got the game underway with Daniel Sturridge getting his first touch of the ball in Villa colours, since signing for the club from Man City. Sturridge would give Villa their first chance to put points on the board, his run towards goal ended by Ashley Cole, who’s contact with Sturridge was rewarded with a free kick just outside the box. Another new signing in the form of Denis Kolodin stepping up to take the opportunity to become an instant hero at Villa Park. Unfortunately for him, his shot went wildly over the cross bar, whether it was nerves or just a milalalala, Villa fans were disappointed by the effort.

Villa continued to dominate possession in the opening moments of the match, Kolodin looking to make up for his mistake with a great ball that sent James Milner down the right wing. Milner taking advantage of the space ahead of him, his cross finding John Carew despite heavy marking from Essien and Bosingwa. The Norwegian striker’s header giving Cech some work to do, Chelsea’s keeper utilising his long reach to deflect the ball for Carvalho to clear the ball away.

Milner and Kolodin were eager to continue their attack down the right side, this time Cech not taking any chances with the cross coming off his line to gobble the ball up, the giant Czech looking sharp in goal. Deco looked to take control of his sides lack of possession in the opening moments and his persistence in doing so nearly resulted in a goal for Chelsea, a late stumble from Deco enough for Brad Freidel to pounce on the ball. Villa’s defence looking troubled by the Portuguese midfielder.

Ex Chelsea man Steve Sidwell who had a good game in for Gareth Barry, looked to put Milner in open spaces, Cech once again there to close down the angle of the shot deflecting the ball for a corner. A poor corner by Villa allowing Drogba to break free on the counter, holding the ball up for Malouda who’s inch perfect pass for Deco allowed his fellow midfielder the opportunity to take a long range shot on gaol. Freidel counting his blessing when the shot hit the corner of the upright and crossbar, inches lower and the ball would of been in the back of the net.

Chelsea started to take advantage of Villa’s retreating defence late in the half, Malouda, Deco and the like all having room to run into, Martin O’Neill screaming from the sidelines for his men to apply the pressure when Nigel Reo-Coker nearly managed to catch Chelsea on the counter his inch perfect through ball for Sturridge giving the young striker an opportunity to score on debut. One on one with Cech, Sturridge looked to open the face of goal but with defenders catching up to the speedy striker his shot was easily claimed by Cech who’s large frame was to much of a hindrance for Sturridge to get past.

Deco would finally give Chelsea the lead, his vision and persistence paying off, linking up with Belletti on the right, Deco left wide open in front of goal as Belletti returned the Portuguese’s pass, from there Deco slotted the ball into the bottom left corner with a thunderous brace, Freidel with no chance of stopping the shot left looking pretty ordinary on the ground, as Deco celebrated with fans behind the goal.

Villa throwing everything at Chelsea in the dying minutes of the first half and despite a succession of corners and a free kick that went centimetres wide, the clubs went into the break Chelsea leading 1-0 and looking the more comfortable of the two. Martin O’Neill clearly with work to do in the break, his team the more attacking of the two, failing to take their opportunities in the first half and looking to be struggling in defence.

Chelsea would double their lead 3 minutes into the second half, Florent Malouda making his way through a weak Villa defence and slotting the ball past Freidel with ease, the American keeper falling for a fake shot and leaving his left side wide opened for Malouda to place the ball in the net. Villa fans sensing a walkover, showing their love of their team starting to chant louder and get behind their team even knowing a loss was on the cards.

Aston Villa repaid their fans support not giving up and throwing everything they had at Chelsea, who seemed happy to defend their two goal advantage. The Blues looking comfortable in defence not troubled by the Villa attack who were missing the edge usually supplied by the likes of Barry, Young and Agbonlahor out on national team duties.

Chelsea would put the game beyond all doubt in the 76th minute a penalty to Florent Malouda after Deco was apparently fouled in the box much to the dismay of the Villa players and fans. Malouda’s second goal of the match and 5th of the season sending a message to Luiz Scolari who has left Malouda on the bench for most of the season. The rest of the match left little to comment on apart from the substitutions from both teams Anelka coming on for Drogba after the 3rd goal was scored and Nathan Delfuenso and Stiliyan Petrov coming on for Daniel Sturridge and Zoltan Steiber respectively with 10 minutes of the game to go. Chelsea with a great performance, Villa hoping their returning stars will make a difference in next weeks match.

Match Facts
0-goals-3
0-assists-1
9-Total shots-5
4-Shots on Target-2
58%-Possession-42%
78%-Passing-73%

Goals
36’ Deco
48’ Malouda
76’ Malouda

Subs
76’ Anelka (on) Drogba (off)
81’ Delfouneso (on) Sturridge (off)
81’ Petrov (on) Stieber (off)

M.O.M:
Petr Cech