Blues record broken

Aston Villa fan Zat Knight scored on his debut for Martin O'Neill's side to help shatter Chelsea's seven-month unbeaten record in the Premier League.

Knight, a £3.5m capture from Fulham, had deflected the ball into his own net on the same ground a week earlier in his final league match for Fulham.

But he was delirious with joy after heading the opening goal after 47 minutes before Gabriel Agbonlahor made sure of victory with two minutes to go.

Defeat cost Chelsea the chance to regain top spot from Liverpool, the last side to defeat them in the competition at Anfield in January.

But then Villa Park has been a bogey ground for the Blues who have not triumphed there in eight seasons.

Chelsea enjoyed far more possession but they struggled to create clear-cut openings against a Villa team who defended as if their lives depended on the outcome.

Martin Laursen, after an uncertain opening, had an excellent game at the heart of the home defence despite being given a searching examination by Didier Drogba.

There was a desperation about Chelsea's play in the second half and the final whistle signalled mass scenes of joy from the majority of the 37,000 crowd.

Worryingly for Chelsea, Drogba had to be helped off the pitch at the final whistle after suffering what looked like a leg injury.

Chelsea began positively and had strong claims for a penalty when central defender Laursen appeared to foul Shaun Wright-Phillips but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on.

Although Drogba was operating as the only out-and-out striker for Chelsea, they attacked with purpose and pace in the early stages.

But it was Chelsea keeper Petr Cech who was called upon to make the first meaningful save from Agbonlahor.

The opening goal came after two minutes in to the second half when Knight rose above Drogba to head past Cech.

Ashley Cole tried to keep out the downward header but could only help it over the line.

Jose Mourinho's instant response was to take off Mikel and bring on Claudio Pizarro as he reverted from a 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2 formation.

Predictably Chelsea launched an offensive and Drogba showed great skill to spin past Laursen and race into the Villa box but Mellberg did well to cut out his low centre.

Mourinho then brought on Joe Cole and Salomon Kalou for Wright-Phillips and Claude Makelele respectively.

It was now one-way traffic towards the Villa goal but the Blues were still struggling to create clear-cut openings for all their lengthy spells of possession.

Then with two minutes left Agbonlahor turned home Young's cross from the left flank to settle the issue.