Chelsea vs. Aston Villa: Blues hold on for three points

Chelsea had all of the ball for the rest of the first half and played some pretty passing moves, but they failed to turn their dominance into another goal. Deep into first-half stoppage time, they were made to pay for that, with Aston Villa manufacturing a goal out of absolutely nowhere.

The pace of the second half was breakneck right from Kevin Friend’s whistle as both teams pushed hard for a second goal. Eden Hazard had a brilliant chance to put the Blues back on top in the 60th minute when he found himself in front of goal with no one but the keeper to beat, but he knocked his shot wide to the right of Guzan. Three minutes later, Petr Cech was forced to make a close-range stop on Andreas Weimann, who was assisted by Benteke with a brilliant cross to the far post.

Chelsea injuries and suspensions

Out: None. In doubt: David Luiz (hamstring), John Obi Mikel (illness), Nathaniel Chalobah (knock).