London - Aston Villa came from behind to defeat league leaders Chelsea 2-1 at Villa Park in the first of Saturday's English Premier League matches. Goals from defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins overturned Didier Drogba's opener, denying Chelsea the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the league as they suffered their second successive defeat away from home.
They remain in first place for now on 21 points, but champions Manchester United, on 19 points, can overtake them if they defeat Bolton at Old Trafford later today. The win for Aston Villa lifts them into fifth place on 16 points.
Villa started the match brightly and were unfortunate to be denied a penalty after Jose Bosingwa's challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor prevented the England striker from having a clear shot on goal.
It was Chelsea, however, who took the lead after fifteen minutes through their top scorer this season, Dider Drogba.
Picking up the ball 30 yards from goal, the Ivory Coast international fired a speculative shot which bounced just in front of and then past goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
Set pieces were always the best chance for Villa to hurt their opponents, and it was from an Ashley Young corner that their equalizer came.
His cross was flicked on inadvertently by Frank Lampard into the path of defender Richard Dunne, who headed in from close range.
And just five minutes into the second half Chelsea were punished again from a corner as woeful defending allowed defender James Collins a free header to make the score 2-1.
Friedel atoned for his earlier error with smart saves from Deco and Nicolas Anelka in the second half as Villa doggedly held onto their lead.
