CHELSEA 4 - Aston Villa 0

Chelsea’s first four-goal haul of the season made it an easy passage to the quarter-finals as Premiership opposition Aston Villa had no answer to the strike power of Lampard, Shevchenko, Essien and Drogba.

The West Midlands club may have arrived with a 6,000-strong army of subsidised supporters but their team looked weak in comparison with a controlled and clinical display of Chelsea power and ability.

Neither manager was prepared to take this cup-tie lightly – both selecting feasible Premiership match selections but it was Martin O’Neill who was left wondering how the strategy went so wrong.

Andriy Shevchenko was ready for his first game for two-and-a-half weeks and Carlo Cudicini was finally given his chance to fill the gloves of Petr Cech.

It was all-change at full-back with Gérémi and Wayne Bridge chosen but unchanged in midfield as the famous four were given the chance to make amends for the White Hart Lane defeat.

Claude Makelele was selected for his 150^th Chelsea game, Didier Drogba for his 100^th.

In light of this week’s refereeing controversy, there were worrying signs for the home side when two early decisions did not go in Chelsea’s favour. First Drogba claimed he was illegally brought to the turf on a run towards the area, referee Mark Halsey disagreeing.

Then Wayne Bridge linked with Ballack and was clearly tripped by Davis a yard outside the penalty area. Again play was waved on. Thankfully, it proved to be the last time the Blues were truly dismayed by a verdict given.

On 11 minutes came the game’s first save – Drogba on the run firing from a tight angle, Sorensen fisting the ball behind.

Sorensen was again in the way when Lampard let fly two minutes later, but this time he knew little about his block as Drogba’s outstretched leg diverted the shot goalwards.

Chelsea began to link up well when pushing forwards. The most flowing move so far ended with Ballack powerfully shooting over after Shevchenko and Lampard had poked holes in the Villa defence.

Midway through the half came the game’s first booking – Boulharouz cautioned for a foul on Agbonlahor after the speedy Villa youngster exposed his opponent with a sharp turn.

Chelsea persistence finally paid off on 31 minutes. Shevchenko, who had threatened to trick his way through on the left on several occasions, failed due to the tenacity of Gareth Barry. But Villa didn’t clear completely and when Davis was caught on the touchline by Ballack, the German’s cross was flicked by the forehead of Lampard.

Sorsensen again got a hand to the ball, but not enough of one to keep it out of his net.

On the stroke of half-time Villa lost their captain to injury. Gareth Barry was replaced by one-time Chelsea nemesis Patrik Berger.

Mourinho’s men took their 1-0 lead into the break. It had been a half of more huff and puff than inspiration but the fact that Villa had failed to register a single shot in 45 minutes boded well for the remainder of the game.

And so it proved as the Blues prepared to shift up a few gears.

At half-time there was an announcement that brought one of the heartiest cheers of the night. Petr Cech was watching his first live game since his injury from the directors’ box.

During the break another enforced substitution was made by Villa – Ridgewell a straight swap for Laursen who had come off worse when fouling Drogba.

The first incident of the second-half was a booking for McCann for scything down a flying Drogba from behind.

The second major incident was far more spectacular – Shevchenko collecting Lampard’s pass and looking to all the world as if he was about the cross before unleashing a 25 yard rocket. The flying keeper clawed it away from the top right-hand corner.

On 59 minutes Drogba tried his luck, swivelling and attempting an overhead kick onto Gérémi’s left-foot cross. The strike wasn’t clean but the crowd held its breath until the ball bounced a couple of yards wide.

The strikers were alternating efforts and with Shevchenko’s next attempt five minutes later, Chelsea went 2-0 ahead.

On the back of his first Stamford Bridge goal in his last game here, this time he headed in at the Matthew Harding End – in the right place to nod in Lampard’s excellent left-wing cross.

Ridgewell became Villa’s second booking, Drogba again the assaulted player.

With quarter-of-an-hour to go, Mourinho made a double substitution. Joe Cole came on for Ballack, Kalou for Shevchenko. The team shape switched to 4-3-3.

Villa were beginning to look a well-beaten side as Chelsea stretched them all over the visitors’ half of the pitch.

Cole dug a low shot out from under his feet but it went wide, then Kalou fired over after cutting in from the left.

Chelsea’s third successful strike on 81 minutes was the best of the game. Gérémi was the carrier, Essien the marksman in a goal out of Africa.

The Cameroonian, who had looked solid at right-back, left McCann on his backside with a trick before advancing and slipping the ball inside.

Cool-headed Essien side-stepped Mellberg’s desperate slide before smacking the ball home.

The two Ivorians on the pitch were not about to be out done. Just two minutes later Drogba had his (inevitable?) goal. Kalou was involved twice in the build-up, Joe Cole once skilfully. Drogba drilled the ball in off the body of Sorensen from 12 yards out.

The visitors ended the game still looking for their first shot on target. That will teach Villa to take a Premiership point away from here!

Chelsea will find out our fifth round opponents when the draw is made this Saturday lunchtime.

Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2) Cudicini; Gérémi, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Bridge; Makelele (Diarra 83); Essien, Lampard; Ballack (J Cole 75); Shevchenko (Kalou 75), Drogba.

Goals Lampard 31, Shevchenko 64, Essien 81, Drogba 83.

Booked Boulahrouz.

Aston Villa (4-4-2) Sorensen; Hughes, Mellberg, Laursen (Ridgwell h-t), Bouma; Davis (Baros 70), Petrov, McCann, Barry (c) (Berger 45+1); Angel, Agbonlahor,

Booked McCann, Ridgewell.

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ratings :

Essien 7.69 (18.66%)

Ballack 7.53 (14.12%)

Shevchenko 7.69 (13.78%)

Lampard 7.47 (9.58%)

Drogba 7.31 (6.22%)

Cudicini 6.79 (5.88%)

hahahahahahahaah....... CHELSEA CHELSEA!

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