Blues hammer Aston Villa to open up a huge goal difference over Manchester United

Chelsea's Frank Lampard stars in 7-1 win over Aston Villa

Blues hammer Aston Villa to open up a huge goal difference over Manchester United

Chelsea's Frank Lampard celebrates after scoring the third of his four goals during their 7-1 win over Aston Villa in the EPL on Saturday. PIC/AFP

Frank Lampard opened the scoring for the Blues before John Carew equalised on the half hour but on the stroke of half-time, Lampard grabbed his second from the spot after Yuri Zhirkov went down under the challenge of James Collins.

Florent Malouda and Lampard both scored second half braces and Kalou added another late on to secure an emphatic victory for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Carlo Ancelotti made three changes from the 5-0 win over Portsmouth in midweek with Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka coming in for Daniel Sturridge and Didier Drogba, while Alex replaced Ricardo Carvalho, who is out for a month with an ankle injury.

Aston Villa also made three changes from their last match. Carlos Cuellar and Stewart Downing made way for Luke Young and Steve Sidwell, and Emile Heskey missed out with an Achilles problem so Gabriel Agbonlahor returned in his place in Villa's only other change from Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.

Chelsea did not get off to the best start after Alex and Cech were involved in a defensive mix-up in the first minute of the game. The Blues defender was forced to concede a corner but Young's inswinging cross came to nothing and Cech claimed the ball with ease.

Anelka had failed to score in his previous ten matches for Chelsea but he went close for the hosts in the opening minutes. The Frenchman peeled away from his marker Dunne after Deco's through ball but could only strike straight at Friedel from an awkward angle.

It was an open game in the first ten minutes with both sides having plenty of chances. Warnock's inswinging corner found Collins at the near post and the Welshman got a touch to turn the ball towards goal but Alex put enough pressure on the Villa centre-back for him to slice his shot just wide of Cech's left-hand post.

Lampard was heavily involved in the game early on. The Chelsea midfielder played an excellent through ball for Anelka to run through on goal at Friedel but referee Peter Walton rather harshly ruled the Frenchman to be offside when he looked level with Collins. Moments later, Lampard was found in space 30 yards out from goal but his ambitious strike was easy for Friedel to deal with.

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