Anelka gives Hiddink a winning start

Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 0: Chelsea launched the Guus Hiddink era in positive fashion as Nicolas Anelka's first half strike kept alive their slim hopes of lifting the Premier League title as they leapfrogged Aston Villa into third spot. Anelka struck his 21st goal of the campaign after 19 minutes to earn the Blues their first league win at Villa Park for 10 years.

It was his first goal in nine league games and brought an end to Villa’s 13-game unbeaten sequence in the top flight stretching back to early November. Hiddink restricted himself to a little jig of delight after seeing Anelka lift some of the gloom which has been surrounding Stamford Bridge.

But his influence is already evident in galvanising the players who had underperformed during the closing stages of the Luiz Felipe Scolari reign.

Hiddink opted to play Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka up front after their success when reunited against Watford in the FA Cup — and Chelsea responded to his appointment by producing a masterful display in the opening 45 minutes.

They knocked the ball around in confident style at leisure with Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Mikel taking command in midfield while Anelka and Drogba were a constant threat.

In contrast, Villa — playing their third game in six days — lacked their usual cutting edge with their front players unable to make much of an impression apart from the occasional dangerous cross from Ashley Young.

The home side came more into the game in the second half and enjoyed a greater share of possession as Chelsea sat back with Ashley Young finding more space on the left flank.

But Petr Cech, who has been under the spotlight after some uncertain displays in recent weeks, produced a couple of crucial saves to protect his side’s lead.