Villa deliver Blues blow

Knight, a capture from Fulham, had deflected the ball into his own net on the same ground a week earlier in his final league match for Fulham.

But he was delirious with joy after heading the opening goal after 47 minutes and then with two minutes left Gabriel Agbonlahor made sure of a 2-0 victory with a second goal.

It was the signal for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to leave the directors' box before the end of the game.

Defeat cost Chelsea the chance to regain top spot in the Premier League from Liverpool, the last side to defeat them in the competition at Anfield in January.

But then Villa Park has been a bogey ground for the Blues who have not triumphed there in eight seasons.

Chelsea enjoyed far more possession but they struggled to create clear-cut openings against a Villa team who defended as if their lives depended on the outcome.

Martin Laursen, after an uncertain opening, had an excellent game at the heart of the home defence despite being given a searching examination by Didier Drogba.

There was a desperation about Chelsea's play in the second half and the final whistle signalled mass scenes of joy from the majority of the 37,000 crowd.

Worryingly for Chelsea, Drogba had to be helped off the pitch at the final whistle after suffering what looked like a leg injury.