Nicolas Anelka’s 18th-minute goal for Chelsea is enough to claim an all-too-vital win at Villa Park.

14:38: Full-time whistle blows. See also: All Saturday’s match action – in pictures

14:34: Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa receives a return pass in space and his shot in the area is met with a great save from Friedel.

15:16: The ball again falls to Barry and he lets fly from outside the area – Cech claims it.

14:11: Villa reshuffle – John Carew comes on and defender Curtis Davies goes off.

14:09: A teed up ball for Villa midfielder Gareth Barry is stuck well but again Cech parries the ball away.

13:59: Salomon Kalou replaced by Deco for Chelsea.

13:55: Gabby Agbonlahor muscles through and shoots low one-on-one with Cech, but the goalkeeper parries it wide for a corner.

13:54: Carlos Cuellar booked for Villa after challenge on Anelka.

13:50: Villa survive a scare – another goal-bound header from Terry is hacked off the line by Stiliyan Petrov.

13:47: Second-half begins.

13:32: Half-time whistle blows.

13:17: Ashley Young’s free-kick rattles the crossbar for Villa, with Emile Heskey wasting the rebound by putting it wide.

13:16: Chelsea defender John Terry gets up to meet a corner kick but Friedel is on hand with a fine save to parry away his header.

13:13: Ashley Young tries a angled effort from 25 yards for Villa but not enough power to trouble Cech.

13:05: A high ball into the box from Villa to Gareth Barry is wasted, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech claims easily.

13:03: Wonderful footwork from Lampard plays in Nicolas Anelka, who nips in to finish well for a great Chelsea goal.

12:55: Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard lets fly from 25 yards, it’s dipping but clears the crossbar.

12:49: Chelsea striker Didier Drogba gets his shot off from 10 yards but no problem for Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

12:45: Game kicks off.

12:15: Teams in at Villa Park : -

Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Davies, Knight, Luke Young, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Heskey, Agbonlahor.

Subs: Guzan, Sidwell, Carew, Delfouneso, Salifou, Shorey, Gardner.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Ferreira, Mikel, Ballack, Lampard, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba.

Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Quaresma, Deco, Belletti, Mancienne, Stoch.

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)