Half-time: Villa 1 Chelsea 0

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Chelsea’s chances of securing Champions League qualification were dented as they trailed to Christian Benteke’s tidy finish and then had Ramires sent off just before half-time.

The Blues, needing a victory to secure a top-four spot, dominated possession for long spells.

But although Demba Ba and Frank Lampard both went close to scoring, the visitors did not create many chances against an impressive Aston Villa side.

Benteke grabbed the opener inside 15 minutes after a slick counter-attack when he easily went past Gary Cahill and then beat Petr Cech at the near post.

Ba almost levelled but his shot was well blocked by Brad Guzan.

And Lampard went close with a fizzing low free-kick that skidded off the turf and Guzan fumbled onto the outside of the post.

But Chelsea’s hopes of getting back into the game were hit when midfielder Ramires was given a second yellow card just before the interval.

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Moses, Mata, Hazard, Ba.
Subs: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Luiz, Torres, Oscar, Benayoun, Ake.

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