22) Aston Villa 0 - 0 Chelsea Fc

Chelsea had the best of the game but spluttered to a third consecutive draw in the fourmatch Christmas and New Year fixture schedule, and remain six points behind Manchester United. Both sides had early chances. Mellberg flicked Davis' inswinging corner across the six yard box and thankfully Carvalho was first to the ball to concede a second corner, Essien charged on to Ferreira's pass, drilling it one side of Bouma and careering the other, before delivering an excellent cross which Drogba tried to touch-volley in but got too much on his gentle shot, and it bounced over. Both sides showed signs of fatigue in this fourth game over the holiday period, lacking sharpness of control, giving away possession, under-hitting passes, and it wasn't a fluid first-half. For Gardner it was all too much and he seemed to suffer a groin muscle tear, and had to be replaced by another youngster, Osbourne, with the half-hour still four minutes away. By the time it had come Chelsea should have had the lead. Wright-Phillips had been having a tough time with tough Bouma, but took advantage of his mistake to race away and square the ball for Drogba to step over and leave for Lampard whose shot was blocked. Lampard was the only midfield player exuding quality, although deep-lying McCann saw a lot of the ball. Drogba, likewise, was the only forward showing penetration, and his run and cross resulted in a flying header from charging Ashley Cole which went straight at Kiraly. Chelsea had ten men at this point, Boulahrouz having hopped off after jarring his knee in a tackle, and he was ultimately replaced by Geremi who went to right-back. Ferreira resumed life as a central defender. Chelsea had a number of long-range off-target efforts, but the superiority in certain positions wasn't matched all over the pitch, and although Villa couldn't muster a shot of any nature they had attacking moments and periods of more possession. Two minutes before half-time Ferreira's hacked clearance following a Villa corner fell for Lampard to control brilliantly and break at the retreating and chasing defence, but his only support was Makelele and when he looked for him the touch was again not sharp and the ball ran away for a goal-kick. Essien was forced off the pitch for the first minute of stoppage time in the first-half by McCann's foul for which the Villa man was booked, the first booking of the game. The second-half started brightly with Kalou getting outside Mellberg and crossing, Drogba just being unable to reach the ball.

The first free-kick oif the second-half went against Makelele and angry Drogba was booked for dissent, his fifth domestic booking of the season and he will now be suspended for the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Wycombe. Suddenly, within two fairly anonymous minutes, Chelsea began to lose focus, balls were given away, and before you knew it Ridgwell was charging through from the back with the team all over the place. He was almost away when Carvalho's crunching, wonderfully timed and brave face-on tackle saved the day. It was a crucial interception. So was Hilario's 11 minutes into the half when Agbonlahore's pass for Angel beat the offside trap, but the goalkeeper advanced and held well on the dive. At the other end, Kiraly failed to hold Lampard's second corner of the half, but Kalou was unable to take advantage in the crowded goalmouth. When Shevchenko stood up to come on with 25 minutes left and both sides now giving away possession more than ever, it was hard to detect who he would replace. In the end, Wright-Phillips got the drag. When Ashley Cole was whistled up for a block on Agbonlahore and the referee went to book him, Carvalho argued and he too was booked and will be suspended at Wycombe. Essien scampered on one weaving run past several challenges, but with Shevchenko in space on the right screaming for a pass tried a chip and was too high. With 15 minutes to go, both sides went to a 4-4-2 shape. Mikel replaced Mikel and went wide left in a midfield diamond - Lampard pushed to the front of it; Baros replaced Davis and went up front. Villa immediately won a corner and Rdigwell beat the advancing Hilario to Agbonlahore's outswinger but nudged header just wide. It was Villa's most threatening moment to date. With a minute remaining, Lampard turnedon Drogba's flick from Geremi's long throw but shot over the bar. It was Chelsea's 15th shot off-target. There had been only two on. There was still time for Drogba to head over Cole's cross after impressive Mikel footwork - 16 off, two on. Villa managed no shots on target and just three off. When the final whistle went Villa celebrated like they had won. Chelsea just seemed pleased this period of games is over. Aston Villa (4-1-4-1) Kiraly; Mellberg (c), Cahill, Ridgwell, Bouma; McCann; Agbonlahor, Gardner (Osbourne 26), Petrov, Davis (Baros 75); Angel. Booked McCann (44). Chelsea(4-3-3) Hilario; Ferreira, Boulahrouz (Geremi 32), Carvalho, A Cole; Essien, Makelele, Lampard (c); Wright-Phillips (Shevchenko 65), Drogba, Kalou (Mikel 75).

Booked Drogba (47), Carvalho (71), A Cole (71).