Premier League: Aston Villa v Chelsea half time report
Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 0
Aston Villa and Chelsea are goalless at half time in the Premier League’s late kick-off at Villa Park.
Villa have had the better chances despite Chelsea keeping the ball for long periods of the first half. Stephen Ireland should have given Villa the lead, as he ran into the penalty area and fired across Chelsea ‘keeper Petr Cech’s goal.
Ireland’s chance was a glorious one, as a quick counter attack resulted in Ireland with the goal to aim at, but his finishing let him down. It should have been an early goal for the home side.
A couple of minutes later John Carew forced a fine save from Cech to tip the ball around the post after his shot skimmed across the surface. Carew opened up his body and Cech got his fingers to the ball, making the kind of save we come to expect of the Czech ‘keeper.
Richard Dunne came off for Villa after he made a crunching challenge on Ashley Cole, but after the home side made such an encouraging start, they didn’t let that affect them.
Gaël Kakuta, starting for the injured Didier Drogba, hit a shot over the bar on the half volley on 16 minutes for Chelsea. The next decent chance from Chelsea came 17 minutes later, as the in-form Michael Essien shot straight at Villa ‘keeper Brad Friedel, which was the first real effort the American had to save.
Villa have a proud record against Chelsea at Villa Park, only losing once in their last 11 meetings with the champions. The last time Villa played Chelsea, they were handed a 7-1 thrashing at Stamford Bridge. There is no sign of a similar scoreline happening here this evening unless a miracle happens.
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