Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa

Chelsea stayed top of the Premier League with an impressive performance against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues were dominant throughout and Joe Cole fired home the opener after running on to Frank Lampard's pass.

Nicolas Anelka got the second when he finished off after Brad Friedel had kept out his first effort and an initial shot from Michael Ballack.

Anelka also hit the bar, while Villa failed to seriously test Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The performance made a mockery of pre-match suggestions that Villa could threaten Chelsea's 85-match unbeaten run at home.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari:
"In the circumstances it's the best performance this season, with four or five players out.

"We played a fantastic game in the first 45 minutes. We have had some injuries this week and the players played very well. It puts us in first place and we have 15 days to recover.

"It's a big game and the three points are very important. We need to win more games at home."

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill:
"We're learning all the time but that was a harsh lesson. We need to regroup and start again when they return from international duty.

"We want to be up there with the top four sides, otherwise what's the point?

"They played exceptionally well and we didn't. We can play much better. From start to finish they were strong and comfortable on the ball. We have a good distance to go to compete on a regular basis with those sides."

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Joe Cole (Kalou 57), Ballack, Lampard, Malouda (Belletti 83), Anelka (Di Santo 46).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Bridge, Ferreira, Mancienne.

Goals: Joe Cole 21, Anelka 44.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young (Milner 46), Davies (Cuellar 46), Laursen, Shorey, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Carew (Harewood 71), Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Knight, Salifou, Gardner.

Booked: Cuellar, Petrov, Shorey.

Att: 41,593.

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).