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Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea reign started with a vital victory at Aston Villa that keeps their flickering Premier League title hopes alive.

Nicolas Anelka sealed the points with a clever finish in the 19th minute after he was set up by Frank Lampard.

John Terry saw a header saved by Brad Friedel and another cleared off the line by Stiliyan Petrov.

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Ashley Young struck the bar with a free-kick for Villa in the first half, but Chelsea survived to seal the win.

It was a display of contrasts from Hiddink’s new charges, with Chelsea outstanding in the first 45 minutes, but showing signs of vulnerability after the break when Martin O’Neill’s side pressed.

Hiddink, however, will only be interested the three points that take them above Villa into third place in the table.

THIS SEASON’S REVERSE FIXTURE

Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa

5 October 2008 – Ref: Chris Foy
Chelsea scorers: Joe Cole 21, Anelka 44