Chelsea Victorious on the Road

With 34,740 strong at Villa Park, the visiting team came ready to spoil the home crowd’s hopes of a victory, as Chelsea came away with a 4-2 victory – their first win in the last 13 attempts at Villa Park – and giving the blue crew their first road win in the league since their meeting in January against the Wolves in which they came out victorious 2-1.

The match began with the home team being short handed as Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish was forced to name a relatively inexperienced side, as Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov was absent after having been diagnosed with acute leukemia. The game got off to an exciting start as the boys in blue began attacking and fast.

Just six minutes into the match, Fernando “El Niño” Torres ran to a superb piercing ball from David Luiz, but all the Spanish striker could do was fire straight at the feet of Shaly Given. Just two minutes after Torres nearly scored, the deadlock was broken as Ashley Cole’s cross to Fernando Torres fell into the path of Juan Mata, but it would be Aston Villas’ Stephen Warnock that made a crucial play that would allow Daniel Sturridge to score from close range, also giving him his 10^th league goal. The home team came close to leveling the game in the 42^nd minute, but goalkeeper Petr Cech made a magnificent save with his feet from Villas’ Agbonlahor.

After intermission, Chelsea came roaring in to make it a 2-0 match a mere five minutes in as Torres and Cole combined very well down the left hand side to force a corner and from Mata’s superb delivery. The home side failed to clear the ball, which allowed the unmarked Branislav Ivanovic to kick the second goal of the evening.

However, the home team refused to go down without making a single a goal. Aston Villa retaliated, attacking down the stretch, and their efforts proved successful as James Collins and Eric Lichaj scored in quick succession midway through the second half. Set up for a crucial, tense remainder of a game, the Blue’s refused to let another one slip away on the road.

Ivanovic bagged his second of the evening, Chelsea's third, with the 83^rd minute on the clock, giving Chelsea the lead. Villa continued to fight back in an effort to tie the game, but Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech comfortably saved a free kick from Bannan. The game was laid to rest as Daniel Sturridge broke away, quickly teaming up to Torres, who scored Chelsea’s fourth goal, essentially sealing the victory for the away team.

It was a grueling match that came down to the wire, but in the end the better, more experienced team came out victorious.  The Blue Crew’s next match will be April 4^th at home versus Benfica in the Champions League.

written by Jesus Bedoy