Chelsea have maintained their 100% start to the Premier League season with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge this evening.
An own goal from Antonio Luna gave the home side an early lead, but Christian Benteke levelled just before half time.
Branislav Ivanovic headed in to restore the lead for Jose Mourinho's side, but Villa were denied a penalty in stoppage time.
Read how all the action unfolded below:
Good evening. It's around an hour until Chelsea get their second game of the new Premier League season underway at Stamford Bridge, with Aston Villa the visitors. We're still awaiting team news for this evening's game, and will bring it to you as soon as we have it.
With the home side getting ready for their second of three games in nine days, and with a game against Manchester United still to come next Monday, expect some squad rotation from the Special One this evening. It shouldn't be a problem for Jose Mourinho to make some changes to keep his players fresh, with Juan Mata and Demba Ba both rested on Sunday, while Romelu Lukaku played just 15 minutes against Hull City.
The visitors will be without Nathan Baker, as he twisted his ankle during the Villans' win over Arsenal at the weekend. However, Yacouba Sylla is back with the team following his recent absence through injury.
Villa have just announced their team news. Let's take a look at their starting lineup...
ASTON VILLA STARTING XI: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Luna, El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph, Agbonlahor, Weimann, Benteke
CHELSEA STARTING XI: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Oscar, Mata, Hazard, Ba
CHELSEA SUBS: Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Van Ginkel, De Bruyne, Schurrle, Lukaku
ASTON VILLA SUBS: Steer, Bennett, Okore, Bacuna, Helenius, Sylla, Tonev
So that's two changes for the home side, with Juan Mata and Demba Ba replaced Kevin de Bruyne dropping to the bench, while Fernando Torres is rested. Meanwhile, Paul Lambert has made just one change to the side that beat Arsenal, with Ciaran Clark filling in for the injured Nathan Baker.
Despite many pundits finding Villa's win over the Gunners a surprise, Mourinho claims that he was not shocked by their win on the opening day of the season. Speaking at a press conference, the Chelsea manager said: "It's not such a big surprise because Aston Villa can do that to any one of us. They are a team with qualities to play away, to play the counter-attack game they played at the Emirates. They are a good team."
A draw or a win for the visitors tonight will see them move to the top of the Premier League table. Despite such a prize being on offer, Lambert told reporters last week that he was not happy with the scheduling of this evening's fixture: "There was no compromise there whatsoever. We gave them five dates to choose from originally and then all of a sudden it's getting jammed in between Arsenal and Liverpool. We probably got 45 explanations but I don't know which one is true. I disagree with it. I don't think it was fair. I don't get it."
Villa's recent history against Chelsea in the Premier League has not been great. The visitors have lost their last three matches against the London side, including the 8-0 thrashing at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day last year. Given their performance against Arsenal last week, it's hard to see a repeat of that scoreline happening again this evening.
Should Romelu Lukaku come off the bench this evening, he could find himself lining up against Belgium teammate Christian Benteke, who netted a brace on Saturday. The striker told the team's website: "I know him well, I've known him for a long time and I always used to play against him at youth level, although he's three years older than me. He's skilful, he's good in the air and is strong with his back to goal. He's what I would call a modern-day target man."
While Benteke grabbed the headlines during Villa's 3-1 win at the weekend, it was Antonio Luna who caught the manager's eye. Lambert told the team's website: "He's only 22. He was up against a really top player in Walcott and I thought he did brilliantly. His goal was excellent. He was looking for Andi to slip him in but he wasn't there. The finish was absolutely brilliant. There's no pressure on him. He's a new lad coming in. We will see how he progresses throughout the season."
Frank Lampard was among the goals for Chelsea at the weekend, despite missing from the penalty spot early on. The midfielder is likely to be a threat again this evening, having scored 13 times against Villa in the Premier League - more than he has scored against any other side.
Courtesy of Aston Villa's official Twitter account, here's a shot of the visiting squad going through their warm-up routine ahead of this evening's game:
The lads warming up at Stamford Bridge. #avfc #cfc #avfclive pic.twitter.com/1CAXbXs13Y — Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) August 21, 2013
One thing the players won't have to worry about this evening is the weather. The latest forecast indicated that their is zero chance of rain this evening and next to no wind. Perfect conditions for football!
With just over 10 minutes until kickoff, it's time to make a quick prediction for this evening's clash. Impressive though Villa were in their opening game of the season, the depth of Chelsea's squad should give the edge this evening. I think Chelsea could take a 2-1 win tonight.
Incidentally, if you're good at Premier League predictions, why not take part in Sports Mole's Readers' Fantasy Football League. Head to http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ and join our league with the code 12799-455963. There's a £100 prize on offer for the winner at the end of the season. Points scoring starts from week two, so you should have had a chance to spot some potential stars from the opening weekend.
The players are heading onto the pitch ready for this evening's game. There are a few empty seats around the ground, but it's a decent sized crowd which seems to be in good voice as the welcome both teams.
Referee Kevin Friend takes charge of tonight's match. He's just having a final few words with both captains before kickoff.
Chelsea get the game underway.
Frank Lampard looks for Demba Ba with a high pass straight from kickoff, but Luna gets the ball out. Chelsea's back four are almost at the half-way line as the home side make an attacking start, but Villa win possession when Ba is caught offside.
Guzan's long delivery from the back eventually drops to Benteke, who tangles with Terry on the edge of the box, but the Belgian knocks the ball with his hand, preventing him from delivering the ball in towards Weimann, who was waiting in the box.
Benteke is already causing problems for the Chelsea defence as he tears down the left wing looking for Agbonlahor, but the striker is flagged offside. From the resulting free kick, Lampard goes on the attack, picking out Hazard up front, but the Belgian can't get a shot away.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa (Luna OG)
Having scored his first goal for the club on Saturday, Luna puts one in his own net. Guzan makes a brilliant save to stop a rocket from Hazard, but he punches the ball straight into his defender, and the ball bounced back past the Villa keeper to give the hosts an early lead. There wasn't a great deal either player could have done about that.
Chelsea are pressing for a second, as Mata finds Oscar on the edge of the box, before the Brazilian sends in a dangerous-looking cross, but Clark is able to hook the ball away. Chelsea are immediately back on the attack though, with Oscar looking to take on the shot himself this time, but his finish goes harmlessly wide.
Since the goal, Villa have barely had a touch. Clark manages to force Ba wide, only to concede a thrown in, before Luna manages to clear a Ramires ball. It's soon won back by Mata in midfield though, with the visitors struggling to string a series of passes together.
Villa have started to settle down, as El Ahmadi bears down on the Chelsea penalty area, but he's penalised for a high challenge on Gary Cahill. Meanwhile, Ba looks to break into the box at the other end, but mis-times his run, leaving him offside.
Mata and Hazard link up on the edge of the box, but Villa get numbers back to prevent the duo from creating a chance. It just delays the Chelsea threat through, as Hazard pulls the ball back for Oscar to hit the ball on the half-volley around 20 yards out, but he appears to slip a little as he strikes the ball, resulting in his efforts flying well high of the crossbar.
CHANCE! Villa win a free kick in midfield and take it quickly, catching Chelsea out. Luna delivers a cross in to Weimann, but the forward can't climb high enough to reach it with his head. Chelsea immediately counter, but concede a free kick just outside the box.
CHANCE! Villa appear to be regaining some of the early composure, as Westwood and Delph feed the ball through midfield, before Luna crosses in for Benteke. The Belgian strike finds his pass blocked, so brings it back for El Ahmadi, but his long-range effort misses the target.
Chelsea win a free kick around 35 yards out. Lampard lines it up and goes for goal, but doesn't get enough dip on the ball, which ends up in the crowd.
Delph makes a brilliant run from inside his own half, beating several Chelsea players on the way, but he fails to shake of Cahill as he tried to cross the ball in for Agbonlahor. Benteke tries to take the ball back in, but he doesn't get control of the ball.
CHANCE! Ivanovic delivers a superb high ball into the box for Ba, but Vlaar manages to do just enough to prevent the striker from reaching it, allowing the ball to go out for a goal kick.
Villa are starting to get some good possession in midfield, but can't seem to find a way into the final third, with Ramires dropping back to break up Lowton's run down the right sideline.
CHANCE! Oscar bursts into the box for Chelsea, but his finish fails to threaten the Villa goal.
Benteke wins the ball for Villa and looks for Agbonlahor, who is waiting in the box, but Cole manages to block his pass. It's been a frustrating first half for the Belgian striker.
CHANCE! Ba looks to be through on goal, beating Clark with his pace on the edge of the box, but the flag goes up for offside. The Chelsea striker has struggled to time his runs in the first 40 minutes. Clark failed to see the flag though and made the challenge, apparently picking up a head injury in the process.
It looks like Ba caught Clark in the head with his boot, completely accidentally. It's left the defender with a nasty looking cut. He's helped to the sidelines for treatment, but with five minutes still to play, he may have to go off.
SUB! Clark does indeed make way for Jores Okore, who comes on for his Premier League debut. Paul Lambert will be worried by the injury, as Clark stepped in to replace Nathan Baker this evening.
CHANCE! Agbonlahor breaks from midfield, finding Delph in the box, but the Villa man can't get control of the ball. He appeals to the referee, claiming that his shirt was tugged, but Kevin Friend isn't interested.
Due to the injury to Clark, there will be three minutes added onto the first half.
CHANCE! Ba tries his luck from range, and his effort is on target but has no power behind it, providing Guzan with an easy stop.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa (Benteke)
Chelsea have really limited Benteke's chances in the first half, but he needed just one sight of goal to get Villa level on the stroke of half time, beating Cech with a clinical finish from just inside the box following some brilliant build-up from Agbonlahor. The goal ensures that Cech won't record his 200th Premier League clean sheet this evening.
HALF TIME: Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa
Having clinched an early goal and dominated the opening half, Chelsea find themselves level with Aston Villa at half time thanks to a late strike from Christian Benteke.
Luna will no doubt be frustrated to have been credited with an own goal to give Chelsea the lead, but there was little the Villa defender could have done, with Guzan parrying a save from a Hazard strike right into the 22-year-old.
Having weathered a storm from the home side, Paul Lambert would probably have been happy to be just a goal down at half time, as Villa had created few good chances, but a clinical strike on the stroke of half time got the visitors back into the match.
Let's take a quick look at some of the first 45 minutes. Chelsea dominated possession, seeing 70% of the ball, creating six chances to Villa's three. It was a relatively quiet half for referee Kevin Friend, with neither side receiving a booking.
The players are heading back out ready for the second half.
Villa kick off the second half.
Villa go on the attack early, with Lowton looking to catch Chelsea sleeping with a cross into the box inside the opening minute of the half. The home side counter, but Villa get the ball back when Ba is caught offside yet again. By my count, that's the fourth time he's strayed offside in this match!
Ba manages to keep himself onside, as he breaks into the box, but he hits the ground wen tangling with Vlaar. He looks to the referee expecting a penalty, but there didn't appear to be a foul, and Friend waves away his appeals.
Mata and Hazard build patiently in midfield as they look for a way to restore Chelsea's lead. Oscar tries to cross the ball in, but his delivery fails to find any of his teammates, allowing Villa to clear.
Mata tries to cross the ball in for Hazard, but by the Spaniard's usual standards, it's a woeful effort, which goes behind for a goal kick.
INJURY UPDATE! Villa have confirmed that Ciaron Clark needed five stitches in the head wound that forced him off just before half time.
De Bruyne, Schurrle and Lukaku have started warming up for Chelsea. I don't think it would be a surprise to see Mourinho take Ba off shortly, as the striker has provided little threat in front of goal this evening.
Benteke drills the ball through midfield looking for Weimann, but John Terry is on hand to guide the ball back to Cech. Chelsea quickly go on the counter attack, but some clever defending by Lowton sees Mata put the ball behind for a goal kick. On a side note, there have been no corners yet this evening.
CHANCE! Mata is on the ball again, and finds Hazard inside the box. The Belgian goes for a half-volley, but mis-cues, which forces the ball to bounce wide.
CHANCE! Lowton breaks from midfield to find Agbonlahor on the edge of the penalty area. The striker hits it first time and just misses the top corner.
Lampard hooks the ball into the box but has no teammates up in support. The action has been end to end in the last couple of minutes, it's difficult to say which team looks more like scoring at the moment.
CHANCE! Benteke makes a stunning cross to pick out Weimann, who forces a superb stop from Cech. The save gives Villa the first corner of the match, but Ramires gets the ball away.
BOOKING! Mata breaks from Ramires' clearance but is brought down by El Ahmadi, who is booked by the referee.
SUBS! It's a double change for the home side as Juan Mata and Demba Ba make way for Andre Schurrle and Romelu Lukaku.
Ramires tries a shot from the edge of the box, with El Ahmady taking his time to mark the Chelsea midfielder, but his effort ends up in the second tier. Meanwhile, Schurrle is temporarily sent to the sidelines, as he'd forgotten to put his shin guards on.
Benteke is penalised for a hand ball for the second time in the match, having been closely marked by Ivanovic. The Belgian is unhappy as the contact appeared to be completely accidental.
BOOKING! Schurrle created himself some space just outside the penalty area and tries to lash it in, but the ball goes well high. From the goal kick, Ivanovic tangles with Benteke again, leaving the Villa striker in a heap on the ground, having been struck in the neck by the Chelsea man. He's probably lucky to escape with a yellow card.
BOOKING! From the free kick, Westwood finds himself in space, but his effort is cleared by Lampard. However, the Villa midfielder is immediately booked at the other end for a foul on Lukaku.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa (Ivanovic)
Lampard curls the ball in from a free kick, and Ivanovic jumps highest in the box to find the back of the net with a clinical header. That's his fourth goal in his last three starts against Villa.
BOOKING! Ivanovic has caught Benteke again, having been booked just moments earlier. However, Kevin Friend gives the goalscorer a final warning, before booking Benteke for complaining.
CHANCE! Lukaku almost puts the result beyond doubt for Chelsea, picking up a ball into the box from Hazard, before quickly turning to fire the ball at the Villa goal, missing by inches.
On the counter attack, Hazard blasts a long ball forward for Schurrle, who races down the win before crossing in for Lukaku. However, the ball finds Ivanovic instead, who can only scuff his shot.
The game has started to get a little more physical, particularly in midfield, since Chelsea regained the lead. Agbonlahor and Lampard clash, resulting in the Villa man getting a stern warning from the referee. Friend could have a busy final 10 minutes.
SUB! Aleksandar Tonev, who was recommended to Lambert by Stiliyan Petrov, replaces Karim El Ahmadi to make his Villa debut.
CHANCE! Chelsea are really chasing a third goal, knowing that a two-goal advantage at this stage is likely to be good enough to take all three points. Lukaku almost finds the target, but Guzan is able to make the save.
SUB! Oscar goes off as Chelsea make their final change, with Marco van Ginkel taking his place, which allows Lampard to move into a more attacking role for the final five minutes or so.
CHANCE! Benteke find Weimann, who tries to smash it past Cech on the half-volley, but the Chelsea keeper manages to pull out a fine save to get the ball away. Lowton crosses it back in, but Cahill is on hand to help out his keeper as Weimann looks for a second chance.
Lampard gets the ball inside the box, before pulling it back for Hazard. However, a mix up in communication between the two sees the Belgian attempt to return the ball to the midfielder, but Lampard isn't expecting it, and the ball goes behind for a Villa goal kick.
Villa have five minutes of stoppage time to find an equaliser.
Villa win a throw in from a dangerous position. Luna fires it long towards the box, and Delph tries to find a way through. Villa looks for hand ball against John Terry, but the referee says no. Lambert is fuming in his technical area.
Replays show that the ball did strike Terry's arm, but there's a consolation of a corner for the visitors, but it's quickly cleared by Chelsea, and Lukaku breaks as the home side try to end Villa's late surge.
FULL TIME: Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa
BOOKING! Guzan picks up a yellow card after the final whistle as he continues to protest over the Terry hand ball incident.
Chelsea certainly created the majority of the chances over the 90 minutes, but Villa will feel hard done by not to have had a penalty in stoppage time, with the ball appearing to strike John Terry on the arm.
Mourinho will not doubt be pleased to get through this match with a win, while resting some of his star players ahead of the Super Cup and a Premier League clash with Manchester United on Monday.
Well that's all from Stamford Bridge this evening, but stick around for full reaction to all of tonight's games. Thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye!