Aston Villa beats Chelsea 2-1 – Recap and Video Highlights – Saturday, October 17, 2009

The English Premier League had a full weekend of matches including Aston Villa v Chelsea. Were Chelsea able to keep their lead in the league table or did Aston Villa get a result at home. Here’s a recap of the Saturday, October 17, 2009 EPL match along with video highlights.

Aston Villa beats Chelsea 2-1 – Video Highlights

1st Half

The match started out with good energy from both clubs and Villa trying to use width in the midfield against Chelsea. Neither team scored in the first 10 minutes as Villa came out with the better chances early. In the 11th minute, Agbonlahor was taken down in the box and probably should have been given a penalty. Fortunately for Chelsea, the referee made no call and play continued. As Villa had several solid minutes of possession in the final third, Chelsea would score in the 16th minute. A long shot from Didier Drogba was mishandled by Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel. The shot took a bounce before reaching Friedel and deflected off his hands into the net. It was a mistake Friedel rarely makes and a gift of a goal to the away side.

Despite being down 0-1 after only 16 minutes, Aston Villa continued to get chances and put pressure on the Chelsea back line. Ashley Cole nearly made it 2-0 for Chelsea in the 22nd minute with a goal individual effort to dribble past a few players and just missed a shot to the upper left corner as it went out for a goal kick. Villa got a great opportunity with a free kick just outside the box on the left wing in the 29th minute. Unfortunately for the home side, the cross sent in the box was caught in the air by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Villa’s hard work in the first half would pay off in the 32nd minute as they’d equalize the match. Richard Dunne scored off a header in a corner kick to beat Cech and make it 1-1. The ball was initially deflected off Frank Lampard who was unable to head it out of danger and Dunne was at the far post to redirect it with the header into the back of the net. Dunne was completely unmarked on the play.

Chelsea would get chances late in the half as Villa were forced to drop back and play defensively. Some great pasting form Chelsea nearly led to a goal in the 41st minute as Drogba had a shot from close range but it was blocked by the defense. Villa counterattacked a few moments later and had the advantage but couldn’t get a shot on goal.

The final minute saw Villa have some great chances but they couldn’t convert any of them. It was an entertaining first half but the home side was disappointed to not have a lead due to Friedel’s goalkeeper error.

2nd Half

Chelsea started out the second half with most of the possession and chances as Villa were caught on their heels. The home side were able to hold strong defensively and take the lead on a corner kick. In the 52nd minute, James Collins was wide open at the far post to head it past Cech and make it 2-1 for Villa. It was another case of poor defending from Chelsea on a set piece.

While Villa showed great energy and defending, the superior talent and skill allowed Chelsea to remain in the match. Friedel was tested several times following the Collin’s goal and responded well. The American goalkeeper needed to make up for his mistake in the first half to protect Villa’s 2-1 lead. As the second half progressed, Chelsea started to really pressure the home side’s defense.

Villa continued to threaten off set pieces and Dunne almost had another header goal of a corner in the 71st minute but missed it wide. While Chelsea couldn’t convert their chances, Villa would catch their defense sleeping. In the 73rd minute John Carew received a volley pass in front of goal but missed the shot wide. Meanwhile, Chelsea continue to test Friedel who was forced to make some great saves.

Chelsea had many shots on goal in the match but the Villa did not make many mistakes. Friedel was solid in the 2nd half to keep Chelsea from leveling the match. It was a great match from Aston Villa who have found their form and should be in position for a spot in Europe for next season. Chelsea will be disappointed as they concede two goals on corner kicks because of poor defending.