The Villa Park difficulties continue as Mourinho's men go down to a first defeat of the season, conceding goals just after half-time and a few minutes before the final whistle.
A disjointed performance left the Chelsea side struggling to create genuine chances in the box and despite a whole host of set-pieces in our favour, Scott Carson in the Villa goal had too little to do.
It is loss that raised memories of the game at Middlesbrough early last season and questions will inevitably be raised about the team's ability to function without Frank Lampard. A two week break now awaits before positive answers to those can be given on the pitch.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Belletti, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole; Essien, Makelele (Kalou 62), Mikel (Pizarro 52); Wright-Phillips (J Cole 62), Drogba, Malouda.Booked Drogba 68
Aston Villa (4-4-2): Carson; Mellberg, Knight, Laursen, Bouma; Agbonlahor, Reo-Coker, Barry (c), Young; Moore, Carew (Petrov 78).
Scorers Knight 47, Agbonlahor 88.
Booked Reo-Coker 55, Barry 70, Carew 70, Agbonlahor 70.
http://www.celticfc.net/news/stories...907155702.aspxhttp://www.celticfc.net/news/stories...907155702.aspx
CELTIC returned to domestic action with a bang after their recent Champions League endeavours, drilling five past SPL opposition for the second league game in a row.
Given the midweek, extra-time exertions against Spartak it was perhaps expected that the early stages of this match would be something of a slow-burner, with both sides measuring each other in a cagey opening 20 minutes.
Gordon Strachan’s men were also adjusting to three changes in the midfield, with Paul Hartley, Evander Sno and Derek Riordan replacing Shunsuke Nakamura, Massimo Donati and Aiden McGeady.
Against St Mirren, Gordon Strachan’s men again stepped up a level, producing a thrilling, highly entertaining performance, with five different players all getting on the scoresheet.
Goals:
Celtic: S Brown 22', McDonald 25', Vennegoor of Hesselink 54', Riordan 56', McManus 74'
St Mirren: Miranda 75'
With the squad now breaking up for the forthcoming international series of international fixtures this win will send the players off on a high and the supporters genuinely looking forward to their return home against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on September 15.
TomC
