English Premiership Aston Villa 1 Chelsea 1: Luke Moore, the first player to breach Chelsea's defence in the Premiership this season, plundered a goal of much greater significance last night when his late equaliser extended the visitors' winless streak to three matches, offering a glimmer of hope to those seeking to rein in the champions.
For only the second time in Jose Mourinho's tenure have Chelsea endured such an unproductive run and though the Portuguese might not be gripped with fear, there can be little doubt that his side are no longer sweeping aside opponents.
Arjen Robben's early goal looked to have provided a platform for victory but once again Villa Park proved to be unfruitful. It is seven matches spanning more than six years since Chelsea left here with three points.
Villa started with purpose and should have fashioned a breakthrough when Petr Cech's punch landed at the feet of Gareth Barry but from 12 yards the midfielder wildly hammered over.
Chelsea then broke, punishing the hesitation in Villa's defence with typical ruthlessness.
William Gallas rampaged forward after being released by Frank Lampard. The Frenchman's pace took him beyond Aaron Hughes, creating the space for a whipped cross and with Olof Mellberg and Mark Delaney stood watching, Joe Cole chested down for Robben to sweep a left-foot strike beyond Thomas Sorensen.
It was the Dutchman's fifth Premiership goal of the season and another should have followed 14 minutes later. This time Eidur Gudjohnsen was the architect, sliding a ball beyond a static defence and into the path of the Chelsea forward. With Cole unmarked on the left and the angle narrowing, Robben ought to have squared, though he opted to go alone only to draw a comfortable save from Sorensen.
Cole's frustration was manifest, but least he was on the pitch which was more than could be said for Shaun Wright-Phillips, who again failed to make the substitutes' bench. That was where Kevin Phillips spent Saturday afternoon though his late contribution against Port Vale prompted David O'Leary to give him a first start for two months.
It almost brought reward when Hughes swung in a deep cross from the right that Phillips, having outjumped John Terry, headed towards Cech's bottom corner. The Chelsea goalkeeper showed his agility, though, diving low to his left to turn the ball round the post. It was not the only time that Terry was exposed. Earlier, the Chelsea captain appeared to handle when the lively Barry attempted to lift the ball over his head.
The referee Rob Styles, though, waved away Villa's appeals, much to the home fans' annoyance. He had angered Chelsea supporters in the corresponding fixture last season when Didier Drogba was booked for diving after an apparent trip inside the penalty area by Ulises De la Cruz. The manner of Villa's protests and television replays suggest Styles had called last night's decision wrongly too.
The potent attacking trident of Robben, Cole and Hernan Crespo increasingly stretched the game as Villa's defence dropped ever deeper in fear of being caught out by the trio's pace and movement. Not that the home side were chastened: James Milner was causing problems on the right, seeking to exploit Gallas's eagerness to break forward.
It was a corner from the former Leeds midfielder that caused Styles to again take centre stage. This time the official called it right, booking Gavin McCann when he tried to divert the ball past Cech with his hand.
More controversy followed when Gallas appeared to drag Milan Baros to the floor though Styles again refused to bow to calls for a penalty. A reprieve of sorts followed when the loose ball broke to Phillips but his shot from eight yards was blocked.
Finally, though, Villa's persistence paid off when Moore nipped in front of Glen Johnson to prod Delaney's cross home.
Guardian Service
ASTON VILLA: Sorensen, Hughes, Delaney, Mellberg, Samuel, Milner, McCann, Davis, Barry, Baros (Angel 75), Phillips (Moore 75). Subs not used: Taylor, Hendrie, Ridgewell. Booked: McCann. Goal: Moore 77.
CHELSEA: Cech, Johnson, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Gallas, Lampard, Makelele, Joe Cole (Duff 69), Crespo (Maniche 75), Robben, Gudjohnsen (Huth 86). Subs not used: Pidgeley, Del Horno. Booked: Crespo, Johnson, Gallas. Goal: Robben 14.
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).
