Duff gives Chelsea victory over Villa

Chelsea 1 Aston Villa 0

Damien Duff maintained Chelsea’s advantage at the top of the Barclays Premiership with the only goal against Aston Villa today.

Chelsea were given plenty to think about by a hard-working Villa side at Stamford Bridge but Duff’s first-half strike proved the difference.

The Irishman netted on the half-hour after a rare lapse by Villa allowed Arjen Robben to break from halfway.