Premier League: Aston Villa v Chelsea

League leaders Chelsea visit Villa Park knowing that after Manchester United's error-strewn draw against the Baggies earlier , they had a change to put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer Villa Park is always a tough place to go to but this time it's a home player who comes off worse when Ramires steps on Richard Dunne's ankle and the defender is forced off Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer Chelsea's turn to wince is not long coming, as Michael Essien is tripped by Stiliyan Petrov Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer Third time round it's honours even as Stewart Downing and Florent Malouda tangle in the middle of the park Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer Managers Carlo Ancelotti and Gérard Houllier look as bored as the rest of us that were watching the match Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer The game plods along till the last quarter of an hour when, rather like buses, a number of chances come along all at once. Firstly Branislav Ivanovic clatters a header against the post for Chelsea ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer ... then just three minutes later Ciaran Clark watches his flick header from an Ashley Young free-kick come back off the Chelsea post Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer Back to defensive duties, Ivanovic dives in to tackle Villa substitute Nathan Delfouneso Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer Their tussles weren't confined to terra firma either Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer During injury time both teams miss chances that could have won them the game. Here, Nicolas Anelka hits the bar from a great position, his downward header from inside the six-yard box bouncing back up and on to the frame of the goal before going over Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer Then in the final minutes, Nigel Reo-Coker races through on his own and flicks the ball over Petr Cech but it goes agonisingly the wrong side of the post. A lucky escape for the defending champions, who are now five points ahead of Arsenal and the two Manchester sides Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer