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Jose’s hoodoo is over

Mourinho gets first Villa Park win as leaders stay in charge

ASTON VILLA 1 (Okore 48) CHELSEA 2 (Hazard 8, Ivanovic 66) Branislav Ivanovic’s rocket gave Chelsea a crucial win at Aston Villa – despite the hosts ending their 11-hour goal drought.

Defender Ivanovic now has five goals in his last seven games against Villa and handed Chelsea a boost in the title race as well as manager Jose Mourinho’s first ever win at Villa Park.

Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Hull allowed Mourinho’s side to move seven points clear at the top of the table.

Jores Okore had cancelled out Eden Hazard’s opener as Villa scored for the first time in the League in exactly 11 hours of football.

But defeat left them only two places above the drop zone having won just twice in 20 League matches.

Boss Paul Lambert gambled to end Villa’s goal woes and dropped Christian Benteke as Gabby Agbonlahor returned along with Aly Cissokho and Ashley Westwood.

Juan Cuadrado was on the Chelsea bench after his move from Fiorentina, while Didier Drogba and Gary Cahill returned but Cesc Fabregas had failed to recover from a hamstring injury.

Mourinho may never have won at Villa Park before, but was given a perfect start when Chelsea went ahead after just eight minutes.

Oscar was given the freedom to scamper down the right and he found Willian. The midfielder was allowed time to pick out Hazard, who darted ahead of Alan Hutton, and the Belgian swept in from eight yards.

It was a goal of pure simplicity but one which left Villa standing. An early lead granted Chelsea the luxury of patience and Brad Guzan saved from Oscar and Cahill in quick succession with the visitors barely in second gear.

Agbonlahor headed over the bar but it was a token effort from Villa, who lacked ideas and vibrancy.

They were more organised in defence than the side thumped 5-0 at Arsenal but Chelsea were content to play at a pedestrian pace.

GOAL DROUGHT

Ciaran Clark’s goal-saving challenge did deny a lurking Ramires seven minutes before the break, though.

But the visitors were made to pay three minutes after the break. Tom Cleverley’s shot deflected over and from the resulting corner Villa ended their goal drought.

Carles Gil’s cross was returned to him, a neat shimmy beat full-back Cesar Azpilicueta and he crossed for the unmarked Okore to nod in at the far post.

Villa Park erupted for the hosts’ first League goal since December 20 and it lifted Lambert’s side.

Willian twice fired inches wide as Mourinho’s men mounted a response but Villa were re-energised.

They failed to breach the Blues again though, and Ivanovic fired in a stylish winner on 66 minutes.

Villa failed to clear after Azpilicueta’s barnstorming run and the defender crossed for fellow full-back Ivanovic to arrow a brilliant 16-yard half volley into the top corner.

It was a deserved second for Chelsea who, despite Villa’s efforts, remained on top.

Cuadrado thenmade his debut late on as Chelsea wrestled control of the title race.