Villa suffer Wembley heartbreak
Villa's trophy drought will go on after three second-half Chelsea goals led to a cruel FA Cup semi-final defeat.
Villa's trophy drought will go on after three second-half Chelsea goals led to a cruel FA Cup semi-final defeat.
Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard were on target without reply at Wembley to book Carlo Ancelotti's men's place in next month's final, but the result failed to tell the whole story.
The opening hour had seen Martin O'Neill's side offer an admirable response to their 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Blues a fortnight ago.
Just as against Manchester United in the Carling Cup final defeat in February, their loss was shrouded in controversy following a poor refereeing decision.
Howard Webb failed to give what looked a stonewall penalty, when Gabby Agbonlahor was clumsily wrestled to the ground by John Obi Mikel.
Despite shading the first hour they were unable to turn possession into goals, and they eventually paid the price as the Londoners upped the gears in the final half-hour to ensure it was another miserable trip to the national stadium for Villa supporters.
As expected, Richard Dunne was passed fit to play while James Milner replaced Fabian Delph in the only change from last week's win at Bolton.
After a cagey opening it was Chelsea who created the game's first chance, when Joe Cole cut in from the left and saw his low shot flash past the post.
But Villa soon found their rhythm and on 11 minutes a neatly-worked move saw John Carew lay-off to Stiliyan Petrov and the Villa skipper square to James Milner on the edge of the area, only for his effort to fly agonisingly past the post.
And a minute later, much to the fury of O'Neill and his players, Villa were denied what looked a clear penalty when Agbonlahor was fouled by Mikel.
Feeling a strong sense of injustice, the claret and blues were clearly riled by Webb's decision and they set about their game with relish.
Once again the Wembley pitch was cutting up badly, with players from both teams regularly losing their footing and Milner was even forced to change boots.
On 32 minutes it took a stunning last-ditch interception from John Terry to take Stewart Downing's pinpoint cross off the lurking Carew's head, with goalkeeper Petr Cech in no man's land.
If that was a fine challenge, then the one from a lunging Stephen Warnock three minutes later to deny Drogba from 12 yards out was even better – the left-back bravely throwing himself at the ball to deny a certain goal.
But the England international almost undid the good work, when his wayward defensive header fell straight to Joe Cole on the edge of the six-yard area only for goalkeeper Brad Friedel to deny the Chelsea midfielder.
Villa flew out of the blocks in the second period and another good chance went begging when Carew headed a Downing corner agonisingly beyond the post.
Just as in the Carling Cup final, the claret and blue faithful did their side proud and the Villa players fed off their fervent support, dominating the second period without ever really asking questions of Cech.
They avoided a scare in the 66th minute when Drogba raced clear and evaded James Collins' sliding tackle, but fortunately Dunne was on hand to make a superb last-ditch block before Warnock cleared.
But from the resulting corner the Blues got their goal – and there was more than a slice of good fortune.
Dunne's headed clearance fell straight to Terry on the edge of the area and his wayward shot was diverted goalwards by Drogba.
It was cruel on a Villa side who had dominated proceedings and the goal took the wind from their sails.
Suddenly, they had the look of a tired side and it was the Blues who looked the more likely to add to their advantage.
A minute before the 90 Chelsea made sure of it, when Malouda swept home Michael Ballack's cross at the back post.
Villa's misery was compounded when Lampard, who scored four against them at Stamford Bridge, got in the act with a cool finish from close range.
