Aston Villa ended their run of 659 minutes of Premier League football without a goal, but it wasn't enough to prevent Chelsea opening up a seven-point lead at the top of the table.
Jores Okore's header, three minutes into the second half, was the West Midlanders' first net-rippler in seven league outings to cancel out Eden Hazard's eighth-minute opener.
But it was a familiar foe who proved Villa's undoing; right-back Branislav Ivanovic scoring for the fifth time in six league starts against the claret-and-blue boys.
Defensive midfield maestro Nemanja Matic once again played a pivotal role for the leaders, ending the afternoon as the game's best passer and top tackler as well as setting up 2 chances for team-mates.
Jose Mourinho had never won at Villa Park before, drawing on three occasions and losing twice including a 1-0 setback last season. Defeat leaves Paul Lambert's side just two points and two places above the drop zone.
Hazard has had a hand in 8 goals (4 goals, 4 assists) in his last 9 Premier League appearances.
The Belgian has also scored in 4 of his last 5 away games for Chelsea in all competitions.
Aston Villa scored their first Premier League goal in 659 minutes. It was the fourth worst run without a goal in Premier League history.
Okore scored his first goal for Aston Villa in his 19th game for the club (in all competitions).
Ivanovic has scored 5 goals in his last 6 Premier League starts against the Villans. He’s not scored more than twice against any other Premier League club.
Chelsea have won 6 and lost 1 of the last 7 Premier League meetings with Aston Villa.
The Blues have lost just 2 of their last 16 Premier League away games (W10 D4 L2).
Aston Villa have won just 1 of their last 10 Premier league games at Villa Park (W1 D4 L5).
Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.
