Chelsea vs Aston Villa Premier League Match Report

Chelsea made the perfect start to the festive period with a sensational 8-0 home win over Aston Villa to move into the Premier League top four.

Fernando Torres gave Rafael Benitez’s men a flying start with a stunning third minute header before a David Luiz free-kick and Branislav Ivanovic header made sure the points were safe before half-time.

Two goals from Ramirez and strikes from Frank Lampard, Oscar and Eden Hazard completed the emphatic scoreline after the break as the Blues matched their best ever Premier League result to move up to third in the table.

While this Christmas present may have been gift-wrapped by Villa, Chelsea were scintillating in their attacking purpose and deadly finishing. It could have been even more had Lucas Piazon not been denied from the spot late on.

The biggest roar of the day as Chelsea brushed away a feeble Villa side was reserved for Lampard, who celebrated his 500th Premier League appearance with a wonderful goal struck from 30 yards in the 59th minute.

The midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the season and the Chelsea crowd made their feelings clear to owner Roman Abramovich, singing ‘sign him up’ after Lampard overtook Bobby Tambling's club record of 129 league goals.

There are increasing signs that the European Champions are adapting to Benitez’s style and tactics, scoring 13 goals in a week, recording their first home league win since beating Norwich 4-1 on October 6 and matching their previous best league victory against Wigan on the last day of the 2009-10 season.

Benitez made three changes to the side that beat Leeds in the Capital One Cup in midweek, with Luiz being pushed into midfield in place of Oscar, while Villa manager Paul Lambert picked the same line-up that won at Liverpool last weekend.

With Daniel Sturridge on the brink of a move to Liverpool and continuing talk that the Blues will launch January move for Radamel Falcao, Torres wasted no time in pushing his case to be the main man at Stamford Bridge.

It was a goal that harked back to the halcyon days of his time at Liverpool. Chelsea right-back Cesar Azpilcueta whipped in a cross from the right and the £50 million man timed his header perfectly, twisting his neck to plan a magnificent header into the top corner from 16 yards.

Torres’ seventh league goal of the season immediately settled any nerves around the stadium and in the 29th minute they were given a two-goal cushion. Villa defender Chris Herd brought down Hazard 25 yards from goal and Luiz stepped up to slam an unstoppable, dipping free-kick over the wall and into the top corner from 25 yards.

Six minutes later, the result was put beyond doubt as the Villa defence fell asleep from a corner. Gary Cahill was allowed to turn and shoot in the box and after a brilliant save from Brad Guzan, Ivanovic was quickest to react as he nodded home a simple header.

The Blues continued to press after the break and could have scored far more were it not for heroics from Guzan in the Chelsea goal, the Villa keeper denying Juan Mata and Victor Moses with superb saves after the break.

He could do nothing, however, about Chelsea’s fourth in the 59th minute. It was classic Lampard, a drilled half-volley from 30 yards that skipped off the turf and planted in the bottom corner of the Villa net.

At the other end, Petr Cech was a virtual spectator in the Chelsea goal but kept his concentration to divert Andreas Weimann’s shot on to the crossbar.

Chelsea’s pressure, though, was relentless. Fifteen minutes from time, substitute Lucas Piazon slipped in Ramires, who drilled his finish through Guzan’s legs.

Four minutes later, referee Phil Dowd awarded a penalty after Herd brought down Oscar in the box. The Brazilian playmaker stepped up himself to sweep the spot-kick into the top corner.

Seven minutes from time, Hazard added the seventh with a sensation finish into the top corner from 10 yards.

Two minutes from time, Piazon missed the opportunity to make it eight with another penalt as his penalty was saved by Guzan. Perhaps not a fitting end to the day for the youngster on his league debut, but Ramires soon added the final touch with a placed finish from the edge of the box.

The perfect Christmas gift for the Chelsea fans on their last home game of the year.

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Source: Goal