Anelka gives Hiddink winning start

Nicolas Anelka's 21st goal of the season was all that separated the sides at Villa Park, allowing Chelsea to leapfrog Martin O'Neill's team into third in the race for Champions League football next season.

But Ashley Young struck the crossbar with a 20-yard free-kick in the 34th minute before Villa dominated the second half, only to fall short in their bid to salvage a point, suffering their first Barclays Premier League defeat for 14 matches.

Anelka struck his 21st goal of the campaign after 19 minutes to earn the Blues their first league win at Villa Park for 10 years.

Frank Lampard was the creator with a superb piece of skill which enabled him to race clear of Curtis Davies and Stiliyan Petrov before sliding a pass through to Anelka. The former Arsenal striker showed great composure in dinking the ball over Brad Friedel into the corner of the net for his 21st goal of the campaign.

Hiddink's influence is already evident in galvanising the Blues players who had underperformed during the closing stages of the Luiz Felipe Scolari reign.

They knocked the ball around in confident style at leisure with Lampard, Michael Ballack and Jon Obi Mikel taking command in midfield while Anelka and Didier Drogba were a constant threat.

In contrast, Villa - playing their third game in six days - lacked their usual cutting edge with their front players unable to make much of an impression apart from the occasional dangerous cross from Ashley Young.

The home side came more into the game in the second half and enjoyed a greater share of possession as Chelsea sat back with Ashley Young finding more space on the left flank.

But Petr Cech, who has been under the spotlight after some uncertain displays in recent weeks, produced a couple of crucial saves to protect his side's lead.