Villa Park stalemate continues title race questions
Aston Villa 0 – 0 Chelsea – Tuesday 2nd January 2007
Chelsea failed to eat into Manchester United’s Premiership lead after being held by Aston Villa. Jose Mourinho’s men missed several chances as they dominated a largely open game against their hosts who were just pleased to end a run of three home defeats on the trot.
Heroics from Newcastle’s youngsters yesterday had set the Champions up to beat a Villa side short on confidence and dropping towards the lower reaches of the league. Chelsea however continued their stuttering festive form as they failed to his the target with any shot in the second half despite creating a number of opportunities.
The blues started far and away the better side with their 4-3-3 formation causing problems for defenders Mellberg, Ridgewell and Cahill. But despite their territorial supremacy a simple chance went begging for Didier Drogba within the first ten minutes and gave Chelsea a hint as to what kind of evening it might be for them. An excellent cross from Essien gave Drogba an opening inside the penalty area, but with time to control the Ivory Coast forward tamely volleyed over the bar with the goalkeeper beaten.
Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure as Aston Villa struggled to get into the game. Lampard, found space on the edge of the box twice but was high and wide with his first effort and dragged his second terribly wide. Kalou and Wright-Phillips who had both been criticized by their manager for poor recent performances failed to get into the game as Aston Villa seemed happy to let their opponents attack them and try and push the ball the other way for a counter.
The pressure for the away side was seemingly relentless but missing the likes of Robben and Ballack, the blues lacked penetration and only Lampard looked capable of unlocking a solid defensive display from Martin O’Neil’s side. As half time approached Chelsea created another opening but a header from Cole after a cross from Drogba was easily dealt with by third choice Kiraly.
The second period began with Aston Villa more confident but still not able to create an opportunity of any real note despite their hard work. Chelsea made changes bringing on Obi Mikel and Shevchenko but could still not break down Villa defense. Lampard again found space on the edge of the area but once more was found wanting as his shot flew wide.
Essien tried to recreate the wonder goal he scored against Arsenal a few weeks ago but as so many times in the game found an Aston Villa defender blocking his path. Despite the away sides dominance Villa came closest to scoring in the final ten minutes of the game when excellent pressure from Agbonlahor allowed set piece pressure from his side. Missing John Terry for the third consecutive game, the blues looked shaky as Hilario got no where near the ball but Ridgewell was unable to direct his header into the far corner.
Pushing on for the three points they needed to put more pressure on rivals Manchester United, Chelsea were afforded one final chance but despite good control after a Drogba flick, Frank Lampard was unable to keep a twisting half volley down from seven yards.
Chelsea looked to work more space but time ran out on their bid to avoid a third consecutive draw in the Premiership and a third consecutive draw at Villa Park under Mourinho. O’Neil’s side will have been delighted with their hard work and know that they probably would have been punished if it weren’t for sloppy Chelsea finishing.
The blues started far and away the better side with their 4-3-3 formation causing problems for defenders Mellberg, Ridgewell and Cahill. But despite their territorial supremacy a simple chance went begging for Didier Drogba within the first ten minutes and gave Chelsea a hint as to what kind of evening it might be for them. An excellent cross from Essien gave Drogba an opening inside the penalty area, but with time to control the Ivory Coast forward tamely volleyed over the bar with the goalkeeper beaten.
Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure as Aston Villa struggled to get into the game. Lampard, found space on the edge of the box twice but was high and wide with his first effort and dragged his second terribly wide. Kalou and Wright-Phillips who had both been criticized by their manager for poor recent performances failed to get into the game as Aston Villa seemed happy to let their opponents attack them and try and push the ball the other way for a counter.
The pressure for the away side was seemingly relentless but missing the likes of Robben and Ballack, the blues lacked penetration and only Lampard looked capable of unlocking a solid defensive display from Martin O’Neil’s side. As half time approached Chelsea created another opening but a header from Cole after a cross from Drogba was easily dealt with by third choice Kiraly.
The second period began with Aston Villa more confident but still not able to create an opportunity of any real note despite their hard work. Chelsea made changes bringing on Obi Mikel and Shevchenko but could still not break down Villa defense. Lampard again found space on the edge of the area but once more was found wanting as his shot flew wide.
Essien tried to recreate the wonder goal he scored against Arsenal a few weeks ago but as so many times in the game found an Aston Villa defender blocking his path. Despite the away sides dominance Villa came closest to scoring in the final ten minutes of the game when excellent pressure from Agbonlahor allowed set piece pressure from his side. Missing John Terry for the third consecutive game, the blues looked shaky as Hilario got no where near the ball but Ridgewell was unable to direct his header into the far corner.
Pushing on for the three points they needed to put more pressure on rivals Manchester United, Chelsea were afforded one final chance but despite good control after a Drogba flick, Frank Lampard was unable to keep a twisting half volley down from seven yards.
Chelsea looked to work more space but time ran out on their bid to avoid a third consecutive draw in the Premiership and a third consecutive draw at Villa Park under Mourinho. O’Neil’s side will have been delighted with their hard work and know that they probably would have been punished if it weren’t for sloppy Chelsea finishing.