Chelsea v Aston Villa: five things we learned

Chelsea's players are still fighting for Carlo Ancelotti When Aston Villa took the lead at 2-1, the easiest thing for Chelsea's players to do would have been to sense the onset of crisis and go missing, thereby leaving the manager Carlo Ancelotti in the firing line. Their response, though, showed not only pride but loyalty to the Italian. Granted, he would have preferred for them to start the game and play for the bulk of it in the same fashion that they ended it but he cannot have everything at present. When John Terry threaded home for 3-2, the celebrations of the players and manager together told their own story. Importantly, Ancelotti also retains the support of the Chelsea crowd. When Villa's travelling fans informed Ancelotti, with the score at 2-1, that he was "getting sacked in the morning", the home fans responded with cries of "Carlo, Carlo". What a pity for Ancelotti that Ciaran Clark would contrive such a sting in the tail. Randy Lerner picked a good away game to attend It was not only Aston Villa's players and supporters who lost themselves in the moment when Chelsea switched off, feeling that the game was won, and Ciaran Clark stole in to stun Stamford Bridge. Randy Lerner, the Villa owner, who is far from a regular attendee of his club's away matches, leapt up out of his seat and threw himself into a sprawling bear hug with the chief executive, Paul Faulkner, in the stands. This was one of the games of the season and for the beleaguered Villa manager Gérard Houllier, it represented a tonic. There was desire from every one of his players and cohesion within the framework of the team. This was some response after the Manchester City humbling. Emile Heskey offered a reminder of his worth The Aston Villa striker has numbered among an extremely select band in recent months – he has been a player to thrive under Gérard Houllier's management. Maybe it's the Liverpool thing. But from the off, when he towered above the Chelsea defence for the first time, Heskey showcased his ability. His critics have said that he does not always use his powerful frame to bully defenders as he should. He certainly did here, as John Terry and Jeffrey Bruma would attest. Bruma barely won a header. The focal point for Villa, Heskey threatened to make something happen whenever the ball was played up to him. He fully deserved his goal. Lee Mason did not shirk a decision One of the sideshows of the game was the sight of Gary McAllister, the Aston Villa assistant manager, remonstrating with the officials. He reflected the frustration of plenty of people in claret and blue and he was not the only one to feel that the officials or, more specifically, the referee Lee Mason had got it in for them. Brad Friedel and James Collins were booked for dissent in the aftermath of the first penalty award while the travelling supporters told Mason that he was "not fit to referee" shortly after Nigel Reo-Coker had become the fourth Villa player to enter his notebook. Mason's bookings, though, were generally correct and both of the penalties fell into the "giveable" category, even if Collins could feel slightly aggrieved. He mistimed his jump and his challenge on Florent Malouda was more clumsy than anything else. Malouda also went down a little late. Ashley Young ought to avoid west London for a while The Aston Villa winger struck the sweetest of penalties to haul his team back into contention but it was the manner of his celebrations that stirred up the Chelsea crowd. Young raced along the touchline in front of the Matthew Harding Stand, with his hand cupped to his ear before sliding down in front of the corner flag. It really was not the smartest thing to do and the only surprise was that Lee Mason chose not to caution him for inflammatory behaviour. Mason booked virtually everyone else in a Villa shirt. The Chelsea supporters targeted Young thereafter: "Who's the wanker in the snood?" they asked. Mind you, it was water off Young's back. There is a swagger about him and he emerged with honours for his performance. He was not the only one to do so in a Villa shirt.