Latest: Chelsea 1 Aston Villa 0 – Oscar puts Blues in front
Oscar netted his second goal in as many games to give Chelsea an early lead at Stamford Bridge.
The diminutive Brazilian, who replaced the injured Ramires in the only change from last weekend’s draw at Manchester City, struck the winner against Bolton in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup clash and slotted home in the seventh minute against Villa.
Willian was the architect, forcing a save from Villa keeper Brad Guzan before squaring it for his unmarked compatriot.
It was the first chance of a fairly low-key opening, which has seen Chelsea probe while Villa look to hit on the counter-attack.
Willian also went close as he outpaced Nathan Baker but the defender did enough to deflect the lively midfielder’s effort into the side netting.
Villa’s best chance of the first 20 minutes came when Chelsea failed to clear a corner and Aly Cissokho hooked just wide of the post.
Diego Costa, starting despite ongoing concerns over a niggling injury, has largely been a peripheral figure, with most of Chelsea’s attacks going through the two Brazilians, Eden Hazard and the supporting Branislav Ivanovic.
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.
Subs: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Schurrle, Remy, Drogba.
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.
Subs: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Schurrle, Remy, Drogba.
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
