Latest: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 0 – Pedro threatens for patient Blues
Pedro had the best chance of a fairly subdued first 20 minutes at Villa Park.
The Spaniard collected a headed clearance from a corner 20 yards out and shifted the ball first on to his left and then on to his right before curling an effort inches past the angle of post and bar.
Chelsea were content to be patient in possession against a Villa side seemingly destined for relegation, though Blues keeper Thibaut Courtois was called upon twice.
He first fielded a Micah Richards header at the second attempt and later pushed away a low drive from Rudy Gestede.
At the other end, Pedro had the ball in the net but was a yard offside.
With John Terry and Gary Cahill both out, Chelsea gave a debut to January signing Matt Miazga as part of a reshuffled back four.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was also given a start, with Chelsea showing four changes from the side that drew with West Ham.
Subs: Bunn, Okore, Bacuna, Lyden, Veretout, Grealish, Sinclair.
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Miazga, Baba; Mikel, Fabregas; Pedro, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy; Remy.
Subs: Begovic, Clarke-Salter, Matic, Oscar, Traore, Pato, Falcao.
