Ciaran Clark scored a dramatic late equaliser as Villa claimed a point in a thrilling draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea took the lead from a penalty in the first-half, but Ashley Young pulled Villa level shortly afterwards when he also scored from a spot kick.

Emile Heskey put Villa ahead with a towering header almost immediately after the half-time break, but Chelsea struck twice towards the end of the game as Didier Drogba and John Terry both found the net.

However, Villa’s never-say-die attitude saw them dramatically pull level in injury time when Clark headed Marc Albrighton’s cross past goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Richard Dunne returned to their starting line-up, having appeared to have patched up differences with the Villa coaching staff as he partnered James Collins in the centre of defence with Carlos Cuellar moving to right-back.

Clark was also recalled to the side and slotted in at left-back in place of Stephen Warnock, who was not even included in the matchday squad.

Young was passed fit after a recent knee injury and made his first start since the 2-1 win over Albion, as manager Gerard Houllier rested young winger Marc Albrighton who dropped to the bench.

Heskey was also restored to the team, in place of Barry Bannan, after overcoming the ankle injury picked up against Spurs which forced him to miss the 4-0 thrashing by Manchester City.

Gabby Agbonlahor screwed a shot wide in the opening minutes, but it was not long until the home side began to take control of possession and Malouda forced goalkeeper Brad Friedel into a smart save at his near post moments later.

But, despite their bright start, Villa pressed the self-destruct button as they did at City and gave away a needless penalty kick in the 23rd minute.

James Collins jostled with Malouda for a high ball into the box, but the defender was unable to get a decisive tough and collapsed on top of the Chelsea winger as they came together.

It was a soft penalty to concede and, although Friedel guessed correctly by diving to his right, he was unable to stop Frank Lampard’s powerful spot-kick.

Dunne continued to lead example at the back with a last-ditch tackle on Malouda, before denying the winger again at the near post.

The defender then had a great chance to pull level at the other end when the ball went back into the box from Downing following a corner, finding himself with a shooting chance but could only shin the ball over the bar.

However, the visitors endeavour was finally rewarded just before the half-time break as the ball ricochets around the Chelsea box.

Paulo Ferreira failed to clear his lines and Nigel Reo-Coker latched on to the ball, only to be upended by Michael Essien, with referee Lee Mason pointing straight to the spot.

Ashley Young immediately grabbed the ball and held his nerve to wrong foot Cech and slide the ball into the net.

It was all Villa straight after half-time and they took a deserved lead immediately after the break, with a brilliant move which unlocked a vulnerable Chelsea defence.

Young played a brilliant cross-field ball to Downing on the right flank and winger delivered a pinpoint ball to the back post in the direction of Heskey.

The powerful striker used his strength to outmuscle John Terry and Jeffrey Bruma and head past Cech.

It was always going to be a testing period for Villa to survive after taking the lead, but Chelsea could not find a way past Friedel who saved brilliantly from Lampard from close range and then blocked a Malouda shot after coming off his line to narrow the angle.

However, the hosts pressure eventually paid off as they scrambled home an equaliser with five minutes to go, when Drogba’s near-post shot beat Friedel and deflected off Cuellar on its way into the net.

Then Terrylooked to have broke Villa hearts in the 89th minute, slamming home after the ball pinged around the box.

But Villa refused to lie down and Marc Albrighton picked out the late run of Clark, who glanced his header past Cech to send the travelling supporters delirious.