Half-time: Chelsea 1 Aston Villa 0

Oscar’s third Premier League goal of 2014 has put Chelsea halfway towards victory on Jose Mourinho’s 250th game in charge of the Blues.

The Brazilian was on hand to slide home from close range in the seventh minute after being set up by compatriot Willian.

Chelsea dominated territory and possession, happy to patiently probe, while Villa were limited to counter-attacks.

The visitors’ best chance of the first half came on 15 minutes when Chelsea failed to clear a corner and Aly Cissokho hooked just wide of the post.

But the rest of the half belonged to Chelsea.

Oscar teed up Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the box but he dragged his shot well wide, while Willian picked out Diego Costa with a cross but his header was claimed by a diving Brad Guzan in the Villa goal.

Branislav Ivanovic headed over from a corner while Costa curled an effort just over the top as the hosts continued to dominate.

Villa applied pressure late on in the half but all they could show for it was a Fabian Delph shot which went well wide.

Chelsea ended the first half on top but Willian twice fired into the top tier of the Shed End.

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.
Subs: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Schurrle, Remy, Drogba.

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