In last night’s game Jose Mourinho gave Demba Ba his first start against Aston Villa preferring him to Fernando Torres and David Luiz was not selected as Terry and Cahill played in the centre of defense. The game started slowly but some swift inter-passing between Oscar and Hazard provided Hazard with an opening and he smashed his shot goal-ward only for it to be saved by Guzan in the Villa goal but the rebound went in off Villa’s Luna for an own-goal and 1-0 Chelsea lead.

Oscar had a long range effort and looked sharp all night and it just shows you the power of youth as he still looks good after a long season last year and a summer where he won the confederations cup.

Villa were already showing more than they did in their 8-0 thumping in this fixture last season and it was a shame when Clark had to go off with a nasty head gash from connecting accidentally with Demba Ba’s boot.

Just as it looked like a 1-0 half time lead for Chelsea and Villa went on a great attack which Benteke finished with a sweet strike to put the game into a 1-1 tie at the half.

After the half Villa again impressed as Agbonlahor went close and Wiemann and Benteke combined well to almost score but Cech bailed the blues out saving from Wiemann.

Mourinho then made a double change sending on Lukaku and Schurrle for Ba and Mata after 65 mins and it seem to invigorate the blues a bit as they pressed for a winner.

Chelsea soon won a free-kick which Lampard expertly delivered only for Ivanovic to pop up with one of his signature headers and put the Blues ahead 2-1. Lambert argued that Villa should have been awarded a penalty after Terry used his arm to block Agbonlahor’s effort but Chelsea managed to have the better of the time left and ran out winners.

The Blues are now top of the league and probably like the view from the summit of the Premier League and Aston Villa can at least take heart from the fact that they do not look like relegation candidates this year.