Duff delivers as Chelsea edge out battling Villa

Chelsea 1 Aston Villa 0

The free-scoring Premiership leaders were frustrated by Villa for large parts of a tight Stamford Bridge game but a single goal from Damien Duff proved enough for victory.

Chelsea, who top the table by five points, had hammered Norwich 4-0 in their previous game but Villa, despite missing several regulars, proved more stubborn opposition.