Observer:
Chelsea see off Aston Villa again to seal another FA Cup final place
FA Cup Semi-Final
Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 3 Drogba 67, Malouda 89, Lampard 90
Jamie Jackson at Wembley
Chelsea are still on course for a first Double. An often soporific FA Cup semi-final ended with Carlo Ancelotti's team setting up a date with Spurs or Portsmouth, who clash here tomorrow, in May's showpiece. By then this team will hope to have bagged the Premier League title, and be halfway to immortality in their west London manor.
Didier Drogba was preferred ahead of Nicolas Anelka, after the Ivory Coast striker had started on the bench for last week's 2-1 victory at Manchester United. Drogba, surely nonplussed by that decision, had entered proceedings at Old Trafford as a second-half substitute and scored Chelsea's winner.
This afternoon was much the same. "The FA Cup is really special to us and when I have the chance I will try to score," the 32-year-old said of a second-half strike, which took his Wembley tally to five, including one against Arsenal in the corresponding fixture last season, plus the winner against United in the 2007 final.
"I had two chances before and I was a bit unlucky, the first one was a great block from [Stephen] Warnock and the third chance maybe was the one that was least expected, but that's the goal.
"I always say I'm lucky; it's an honour for me to be here and to play in a stadium like this one."
Fortune arrives for those who go searching, and it was Drogba alone who created the opportunity from which he claimed the 32nd goal of an outstanding season, flashing down the left and causing James Collins to dive in, before his shot at Brad Friedel went for a corner.
It was the turn now of Collins's defensive partner, Richard Dunne, to commit a howler. Florent Malouda's delivery from the left landed plum on the Irishman's head, but his weak clearance found a lurking John Terry. The former England captain's response was a pass-shot hybrid, which found the unmarked Drogba. From six yards he was not going to miss and he duly steered a left-foot strike low into the corner of the net.
Before the goal that killed Villa, though, it had been Martin O'Neill's team who started the tie far more convincingly. Gabriel Agbonlahor had begun festivities with a surge through midfield that worried Terry before the ball fell to Ashley Young who forced a corner.
Chelsea managed their opening threat on nine minutes. But, after a corner was won courtesy of Malouda's work down the left Alex could only head the ball out for a goal-kick.
Villa's 7-1 drubbing at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago had begun with a Frank Lampard strike on 15 minutes so they were content to move beyond that mark still level here. In fact, before the quarter-hour had passed, it was O'Neill's team who might have taken the lead from two chances.
James Milner was first up with a low, skidding effort that narrowly passed Petr Cech's right post. Then Agbonlahor appeared to be kneed to the turf inside Chelsea's area by Mikel John Obi. Howard Webb stared for a moment before, to O'Neill's fury, turning away.
If the referee had seen Agbonlahor clutching Mikel's jersey then he might have taken that in mitigation, though a counter-argument says that players hugging each other in this area of the pitch is commonplace stuff.
Since that 7-1 defeat much has been made by O'Neill and his players of Terry's remarks that Villa tend to fade late on in games. From a distance, though, this seemed fair comment from Chelsea's captain and there was a sense here that Wembley's wide yards would again test Villa's stamina.
Yet as the half-hour passed it was Chelsea who, if not sluggish exactly, were struggling to wrest the play from Villa, though this may have been the unfolding of precisely the pattern Terry had described, with Chelsea hoping to emerge stronger as the game wore on.
The closing minutes of the first half offered an initial hint of this. Not for the first time, Drogba was Chelsea's threat. With players beginning to slip on the notorious Wembley turf (this was the second try-out of a 10th relaying in three years) Dunne went down in his area when hoping to stop the striker unloading from Malouda's cross.
It was Warnock who managed to get a fine block in and moments later Drogba performed a flip-and-collect over a Villa player's head that was playground stuff. And, when Dunne had a niggle at the same player, it was Drogba's toe-poke of a free-kick that was blasted at Villa's wall.
Despite the strong finish to the period, though, Ancelotti was not content with how his players had, for large periods, been dominated by Villa. This caused the Italian to show his displeasure by sending his players out early for the restart and telling three substitutes – Anelka, Michael Ballack and Salomon Kalou – to spend the first 10 minutes warming up.
Yet they and the manager had to witness further spluttering from Chelsea, with the aimless ball from Joe Cole that went straight for a goal-kick instead of on to Drogba's head emblematic of their performance. At this point Villa still seemed favourites. After 62 minutes another Agbonlahor run preceded a shot that demanded a Cech save. Ancelotti, wanting to force events, had seen enough. Off went Cole and on came Kalou.
Now came Drogba's moment and while Terry later seemed fortunate to receive only a yellow card for clobbering Milner's knee, Mr Chelsea's analysis of Villa's tendency to fade was proved correct. Late strikes from Malouda, meeting a precise Ballack cross on the half-volley, and Lampard, teed up in the area by Malouda and Anelka, provided the confirmation.
Terry's team now switch back to the league and Bolton on Tuesday. They can smell glory.
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Independent:
Drogba turns tide as Villa are forced to pay penalty again
Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 3: Second-half flourish keeps Chelsea on track for the Double
By Steve Tongue at Wembley
For the second time in a fortnight Chelsea defeated Aston Villa by a margin that hardly reflected the balance of play. Two weeks ago it was a flurry of late goals that brought about Villa's biggest ever Premier League defeat by 7-1. This time there were two in the last few minutes by Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard to distort the scoreline after Didier Drogba's 32nd goal of the season had put the holders in front with three-quarters of the game played.
Before that Villa, 20 points behind in the League table, showed no sign of inferiority or psychological damage and were the better side early on, when they were harshly denied a penalty. But overall they did not create enough scoring chances and were unable to gainsay John Terry's suggestion that they tend to fade late on.
Martin O'Neill must now attempt to ensure that the same does not apply to their season as a whole again – they play Everton on Wednesday – while Chelsea, through to their third final in four years, retain hopes of a first League and Cup double.
Whether or not they return to Wembley on 15 May as champions, they will have to hope against hope that the pitch has improved. Despite having been relaid for the 10th time, it was as poor as ever yesterday, which undoubtedly contributed to the disappointing nature of the football without entirely excusing it.
Carlo Ancelotti, who stands to emulate Arsène Wenger and Kenny Dalglish by doing the Double in his first full season, was gracious enough to admit: "In the first half we played without intensity and were lucky to be nil-nil. But the second half was totally different."
O'Neill was naturally in greater agreement with the former sentiment than the latter, once he got round to discussing the game as a whole rather than his fury at Howard Webb's penalty decision and Terry's tackle on James Milner. "I was very, very proud of the team," he said. "We suffered a heavy defeat by the same side and came here determined to win. Up until the first goal there was nothing in it. I told them at half-time they'd been absolutely brilliant."
There was an element of hyperbole to that assessment, but it was certainly the case that his team had more than matched the favourites. Entitled to regard the result a fortnight ago as something of a freak, O'Neill fielded nine of the same players, bringing back Stewart Downing for the more conservative Steve Sidwell to work the flanks with Ashley Young on the big Wembley pitch.
It risked offering Chelsea's tight midfield trio the opportunity to run the show – all the more so as Joe Cole and Malouda were more inclined to drift in off their touchline – but neither Lampard, scorer of four goals in the recent romp, nor Deco was able to take a grip during a dull first half.
Villa were convinced with some justification that Webb should have awarded a penalty 15 minutes in when Gabriel Agbonlahor, trying to turn past John Obi Mikel, went down. There was contact between them and Agbonlahor beat the turf in frustration as England's World Cup referee waved play on, O'Neill performing a furious dance in the technical area.
Their team had been closest to getting a goal up to that point as well, Milner taking a square pass from his central midfield partner, Stiliyan Petrov, and driving it a fraction wide of Petr Cech's post.
Early in the second half John Carew's deft back-header from a corner without leaving the ground passed close to the far post, but apart from one other shot by Young, Cech was never threatened again. Chelsea, in contrast, were slowly building up a head of steam.
As Malouda cut the ball back for Drogba shortly before the interval, the opening goal seemed certain, but Stephen Warnock, one of nine England contenders being scrutinised from the stands by Fabio Capello, threw himself into a superb block.
Ancelotti blinked first in the technical areas, sending on Salomon Kalou for Cole, and within two minutes his team were in front. Not that the two events were connected. It was Mikel who brought the ball forward to send Drogba away for a bold incursion into Villa's penalty area, easily slipping James Collins' rash challenge only to be foiled by Richard Dunne's block for a corner.
From saviour, Dunne immediately became villain, sending a weak header from the corner straight to Terry, whose miscued left-footed shot was turned into the net by Drogba. Big Fella Thanks, as the Blues' racing fans might have put it.
Michael Ballack replaced Deco, who could easily have received a second yellow card for fouling Petrov again, in the same move as the referee's mind was on taking Terry's name for a dreadful tackle on Milner. If Capello winced at that, he had another player to observe as Emile Heskey came on for the limping Carew – to no great effect.
A more reliable Englishman, Lampard, then began the counter-attack that brought the second goal, before scoring the third. First he spread the play to Ballack down the right for a fine cross met by a confident finisher in Malouda, then took a pass from substitute Nicolas Anelka to rub it in for Villa. A deserved win, by a flattering margin.
Attendance: 85,472
Referee: Howard Webb
Man of the match: Malouda
Match rating: 6/10
MAN FOR MAN MARKING
Aston Villa
BRAD FRIEDEL 6/10
There was not much Friedel could do about Chelsea's three goals, and other than that he had very little to do as Villa's defence kept the top flight's top-scoring team at arm's length. The American made a comfortable save from Cole's volley after 39 minutes.
CARLOS CUELLAR 7/10
The Spaniard was simply excellent at right-back, where he faced the in-form Malouda. He gave his opponent little space and produced a perfect tackle on the Frenchman in the 20th minute to deny Chelsea. He also pushed forward and supported the Villa attack.
JAMES COLLINS 7/10
The defender did little wrong and along with Dunne he kept Drogba out of the game except for the decisive moment when the Ivorian scored. Collins was a threat every time he came forward for free-kicks and corners. A disconsolate figure at the final whistle.
RICHARD DUNNE 7/10
The Irish defender passed a late fitness test on an Achilles injury to take his place in the team, with the job of keeping Drogba quiet, a job he performed with tenacity and wonderful concentration. Dunne marred his otherwise fine game with a poor header that led to Drogba's goal.
STEPHEN WARNOCK 6/10
He never stopped working down the Villa left. Warnock threw himself bravely at the ball to block Drogba's shot with his knee after 36 minutes. After all that, and in front of Fabio Capello, he almost undid it all with a terrible header moments later that allowed Cole to fire in a volley.
STUART DOWNING 6/10
The England hopeful spent most of the game on the right flank, but seemed far happier in those moments he swapped with Young and played on the left. A cross from Downing from the left almost led to a goal, but for Terry's saving header.
STILIYAN PETROV 6/10
The captain was tidy in the Villa midfield rather than spectacular. He led the team by example, doing the donkey work in front of the back four to ensure Lampard could not repeat his four-goal performance of two weeks ago.
JAMES MILNER 8/10
Comfortably won his personal duel with Cole to impress the watching England manager. Milner changed his boots after 12 minutes after he found it impossible to keep his feet on Wembley's relaid turf. He was a constant menace in the centre of midfield and was just wide with a low effort from 30 yards.
ASHLEY YOUNG 7/10
The winger began well and troubled both the Chelsea fullbacks but faded in the second half. Twice his crosses caused panic in the Chelsea defence but the Premier League leaders managed to recover. At times his delivery fails to live up to what has come before it.
JOHN CAREW 6/10
The Norwegian target-man won his share of balls in the air but could not make his presence felt in front of goal. His only chance came just after the interval, but his close-range header flew past the far post, and with it went Villa's FA Cup hopes.
GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR 8/10
The brightest attacker for Villa but, like his team-mates, he began to fade in the second half after an encouraging opening. Agbonlahor tested both John Terry and Alex early on in the game with a determined run, and should have had a penalty after he was upended by Mikel. Great tracking back and pressing.
Substitutes
Emile Heskey for Carew (82 minutes) Made no impression on the Chelsea defence, who by this time were on their way to another victory.
Chelsea
PETR CECH 7/10
Misread the flight of Downing's cross in the 32nd minute and totally missed his punch. Cech also looked uncomfortable with Young's cross on the hour, punching it past his near post for a corner. Had very little to do in the second half as Villa's legs went – again.
PAULO FERREIRA 6/10
This was probably the Portuguese veteran's last game of the season now Branislav Ivanovic is fit again, and he did little to convince Ancelotti to keep him in the side. He did hit a wonderful volleyed pass to Lampard early in the second half.
ALEX 6/10
The big, lumbering Brazilian looked vulnerable when Villa kept the ball on the grass, but was far more comfortable when he was tested in the air, even against the towering Carew. Never had the chance to unleash one of his trademark free-kicks.
JOHN TERRY 7/10
Not his finest hour at Wembley, although he did create Drogba's goal, albeit with a shot that was going wide. Terry pulled off a brilliant glancing header just enough to deny Carew in the 32nd minute. Booked in the 75th minute for a horrible foul on Milner.
YURI ZHIRKOV 6/10
The Russian got up and down the left flank well in support of Malouda, but he was too casual in possession. The £18m defender did show what he is capable of with one brilliant pass to Drogba. Did enough to keep Villa's wingers in check, just about.
JOHN OBI MIKEL 6/10
What Chelsea wouldn't give for Claude Makelele right now. Mikel is too ponderous and unreliable. The Nigerian was in luck that referee Howard Webb was the only man in Wembley not to think his clumsy challenge on Agbonlahor in the 16th minute was not a penalty.
DECO 6/10
The Portuguese has become a regular in the Chelsea midfield again but this was his worst game in recent weeks. Had a sight of goal in the 50th minute but lashed his shot from a corner well wide of the Villa goal. He is a terrible tackler, and was booked for a ill-timed hack at Petrov's legs.
FRANK LAMPARD 7/10
Chelsea's inspiration at the heart of the midfield, Lampard was always available for the ball and seldom misplaced a pass. His patient approach was key to Chelsea finally grinding down the Villa resistance. Earned his reward with a stoppage-time goal.
JOE COLE 6/10
Another inconsistent performance. The England midfielder occupied his customary role on the right of attack but looks happier when is on the left and can cut in and shoot with his favoured right foot. He did just that in the 11th minute but could only find the side-netting.
DIDIER DROGBA 7/10
Decided the match with his poacher's goal in the 67th minute when he instinctively turned in Terry's shot after a corner. However it was not a vintage performance from the Ivorian, who found himself unable to get much change out of Dunne and Collins.
FLORENT MALOUDA 7/10
Malouda struggled with the relaid pitch more than most. Kept his feet to finish wonderfully from Ballack's cross in the 88th minute.
Substitutes
Salomon Kalou for Cole (65 minutes) Injected energy to the Chelsea attack, and went close with an attempted curler from 25 yards that was deflected wide. Michael Ballack for Deco (76) Wonderful cross to the far post for Malouda to score Chelsea's second. Nicolas Anelka for Drogba (80) Unselfishly set up Lampard for Chelsea's third goal in stoppage time.
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Telegraph:
Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 3
By Duncan White at Wembley
There is something about Didier Drogba in this competition at this venue. He scored in the semi-final and the final last year and he did it again, his instinctive finish the goal that effectively sent holders Chelsea into the final.
With Aston Villa chasing the game, Chelsea added two late goals to skew the scoreline in what was actually quite a tight, hard-fought game.
This was not Chelsea at their best. They lacked the energy that has been fundamental to their impressive run of results since being eliminated from the Champions League, but their foundations remain rock solid.
The defensive keystone of Alex, John Terry and Petr Cech is the source of the whole team’s strength and Villa could not breach them. Terry, one ugly studs-up challenge on James Milner aside, was particularly impressive.
It was a second Wembley disappoint for Martin O’Neill and his Villa side this season.
After suffering a 7-1 thrashing at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago, some Villa fans might have feared their team would get outclassed but if anything they shaded much of this game - they just did not get the breaks and the late capitulation made it look worse than it was.
Just as in their last appearance at Wembley, Villa were the victims of an early injustice. In the Carling Cup final, Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic somehow escaped being sent off after bringing down Gabby Agbonlahor in the penalty area when he was clean through. This time, with 16 minutes played, Agbonlahor rolled John Obi Mikel in the area and was clumsily brought down by the Chelsea midfielder.
Howard Webb was well positioned but didn’t give it. Agbonlahor flapped around on the turf like a dying seal; O’Neill had a tantrum in the technical area.
Ancelotti had frustrations of his own, though. The way his side were set out - with Drogba on his own up front and the full-backs taking an attacking line in possession - meant that Chelsea always had one of their central midfield trio spare.
Despite this advantage, though, they failed to start with the tempo that had made them so formidable against Manchester United last week, or even in that 7-1 demolition of Villa a fortnight ago.
Chelsea’s difficulties were exacerbated by the fact that Drogba, recalled to the side after scoring as a sub at Old Trafford, was struggling to impose himself.
Villa’s tactic was to try to bully him. After James Collins went in hard to an aerial challenge, Drogba seemed to hurt his knee and moved gingerly for the ensuing minutes. Richard Dunne fouled him twice as the belligerent approach was sustained and when he did get a chance, after Florent Malouda found him with a cross, Stephen Warnock was across well to block.
With the ball, Villa tried to use the pace of Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and especially Agbonlahor to hit Chelsea early, with the latter two swapping wings frequently to keep the Chelsea full backs guessing.
Chances came: James Milner watched a low shot from range go just wide of the post with Petr Cech at full stretch, while Terry got the slightest touch on Stewart Downing’s cross to confuse a spare John Carew at the far post.
Still, it was a pretty flat first half and, once again, this Wembley pitch was not helping matters. The surface layer was cutting up very easily and players were slipping all over the place - Milner even changed his boots during the course of the first half.
At half-time 13 ground staff came out with pitchforks to repair some of the damage. It’s preposterous that it remains in such a state and a dumb risk to the fitness of the players hoping to go to the World Cup.
The intensity increased in the second half as the roles were reversed: Villa started to enjoy more possession with Chelsea striking on the counter-attack. It was one of those swift attacks that preceded the goal. Mikel slid Drogba in down the left channel and Ivorian cut inside the sprawling Collins as he tried to block. Dunne came flying in to cover but conceded a corner.
Malouda sent in what looked a benign cross but Dunne could only head the ball straight to the feet of Terry and the Chelsea captain’s mishit shot was diverted in instinctively by Drogba. This was far from one of his best performances but Drogba obviously loves this stadium.
With the game slipping away from them Villa had to take risks and Chelsea punished them for their adventure. Michael Ballack, on for Deco, sent in a classy cross to the far post where the in-form Malouda tucked it in right-footed for the second.
Malouda then missed an easier chance in stoppage time before Lampard, who had scored four against Villa last time, tucked away a third with the defence in disarray.
Aston Villa
Brad FriedelNot required to do much in the first half, although he reacted well Cole snap shot. Pity he didn’t move so fast when Drogba struck. No chance for the second. 5
Carlos CuellarAn early slip allowed Cole to shoot, which went just wide. Muscled off the ball by Malouda, and was out of position for second goal. 4
Richard DunneA reassuring presence in the centre of defence for much of the match, but it was his poor defensive header from a corner that led to Drogba’s goal. 6
James CollinsSolid, and always willing to throw himself into a challenge. Failed to shut out Drogba, leading to the corner from which Chelsea scored. 7
Stephen WarnockStandout Villa performer. Bloody-minded defending, using body to block Drogba’s goal-bound shot, but poor header gave Cole a sniff. 7
Ashley YoungPromising runs, but he failed to deliver from decent crossing positions. Missed a chance to prove that he has the big match temperament. 6
James MilnerUnquestionable commitment as usual. Good long range effort on the quarter-hour mark. Doing his bit in defence too, stopping Cole. 6
Stilian PetrovSlammed the door closed on a number of Chelsea breaks, but failed to produce any penetrative passes through the middle for the front men. 6
Stewart DowningQuiet until a delightful chip drew Cech out and forced Terry into a goal-saving header. It put a spring in the winger’s step. 7
John CarewKept honest by Mikel. His aerial presence always a threat, and he escaped from Terry early in the second half, but failed to get header on target. 6
Gabriel AgbonlahorEarly energy provoked Mikel into clumsy challenge, for which he should have been rewarded with penalty. 7
SubstitutesHeskey for Carew 7Not used: Guzan, L Young, Sidwell, Delfouneso, Delph, Beye
Martin O'NeillWill feel aggrieved he was not given a penalty, but persisted with Cuellar and only gave Heskey ten minutes to make an impact – never enough. 6
Chelsea
Petr CechExposed badly by a high Downing cross, leaving the goal open and at Carew’s mercy. Has Terry to thank for bailing him out with a last-minute header. 5
Paulo FerreiraWas perhaps a little fortunate that Young and Downing, who were given time and space to cross on a number of occasions, were not more accurate. 5
AlexReasonable, but caught in possession in dangerous position by Milner. Could be accused of trying to take too much time on the ball. Confident in air. 5
John TerrySolid. Crucial header in 32nd minute prevented Carew from an open goal, and set up Drogba’s goal Cautioned for a horrible tackle on Milner. 7
Yuri ZhirkovDealt with interchange between Young and Downing. Outpaced, but timed his challenges well, and marginalised the threat from his flank nicely. 6
DecoSetting the pace from deep midfield, but didn’t provide anything exceptional. Struggled at times with the pace, and was cautioned for a cheeky trip on Petrov. 6
John-Obi MikelMatching Carew for height and strength, but very fortunate not to have conceded an early penalty by bringing Agbonlahor down with a clumsy outstretched knee. 6
Frank LampardVery subdued in the first half, but came to the party after the resumption. Tidy distribution, and rounded off the afternoon with a composed finish. 7
Joe ColeLively. Given free rein to try his luck and probe different areas of the defence, he looked the likeliest of Chelsea’s forward men until his substitution. 7
Florent MaloudaExcellent vision, picked out Drogba in the first half with acres of space. Caused Cuellar problems, and finished superbly. 7
Didier DrogbaDramatic as usual, and rarely seen not nursing a body part. Unimpressive for the most part, and looked like coming off before tapping in Terry’s shot. 7
Substitutes
Ballack for Deco 7, Kalou for Cole, 7, Anelka for Drogba 7.Not used: Hilario, Ivanovic,Sturridge, Belletti.
Carlo AncelottiSpent the majority of time with arms crossed or with hands in pockets, a statue in comparison to his counterpart. Made positive substitutions. 7
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Sunday Times
Didier Drogba leads Chelsea to another FA Cup final
Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 3
Jonathan Northcroft
A footballer with such a grand and exuberant carriage is made for arenas like this. The new Wembley, with its mighty scale and flamboyant arch, obviously strikes chords deep within Didier Drogba. Once again, the striker was talismanic in a Chelsea triumph at the national stadium.
Since Drogba scored the first goal on its turf after its reopening, to decide the 2007 FA Cup final, he has made the place his hunting ground, scoring five times in six competitive appearances here and yesterday striking opportunistically in the 67th minute to provide the tipping point in a victory that was tighter than the scoreline made it look.
Thanks to their warrior-marksman, Chelsea are stalking their third triumph in four seasons in football’s oldest club competition.
Two other moments were key and left Martin O’Neill with resentment stewing ulcerously in his stomach. He believed Howard Webb, a referee who he “had the highest regard for up to today” did Aston Villa an “injustice”.
In the Carling Cup final against Manchester United O’Neill was enraged that Phil Dowd failed to send off Nemanja Vidic for a foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor that produced a spot-kick and, once again, a penalty controversy maddened the Irishman, who was certain Jon Obi Mikel should have been sanctioned for a 16th-minute challenge inside the box on Agbonlahor.
O’Neill was even more angry about a John Terry tackle that he said could have crippled James Milner. Villa were still in the game, 1-0 down with 16 minutes remaining, and would have fancied their chances of taking the tie to extra time had Webb punished Terry with a red instead of yellow card.
Drogba was the man of the match for the intervention that broke open a deadlocked game, in which Villa were better in the first half and Chelsea in the second but the difference between the sides was always marginal. O’Neill’s men were stung by losing 7-1 to these opponents last month and, with Villa straining every sinew to deny Chelsea in open play, a set-piece always looked Drogba and company’s likeliest route to a lead.
There was luck involved, and Villa complicity. Richard Dunne headed away a corner but no one was marking Terry on the edge of the box and Terry’s mishit shot went straight to Drogba. The striker — also left free — beat Brad Friedel with a canny left-footed touch.
A quarter of the match remained and Villa, serial counterattackers, were left to play a game they dislike — one of taking the play to good opposition. Forward Villa flooded, only to be felled with sniper shots.
Two further goals came in the final minutes. First, with a sumptuous cross, Michael Ballack found Florent Malouda, who converted at the far post. Then, on a break, Nicolas Anelka worked the ball to Frank Lampard, who beat Friedel from close range.
Chelsea fans’ chant of “we want seven” was harsh. Thanks to superior striking, their team deserved to win, but even 3-0 was unfair on Villa.
Even Chelsea’s players thought Villa should have got a penalty yet while perhaps six referees out of 10 would have awarded one against Mikel, there was enough complexity about the incident to explain why the ideally-placed Webb did not.
Petr Cech 6/10Regularly punched clear when presented with Aston Villa’s cedar forest of options at set pieces
Paulo Ferreira 6The Portugal international is enjoying a renaissance in the absence of Jose Bosingwa and Branislav Ivanovic
Alex 7The quiet one in Chelsea’s central defence concentrated on the simple parts of the game, occasionally digging his captain out
John Terry 4Agbonlahor’s pace left him on the turf again. Lucky his off-target shot fell to Drogba for the opener, but an ugly foul on Milner
Yuri Zhirkov 5Still getting used to the English game, the Russian made some passing errors but marshalled Downing well
Mikel 6Could have been penalised for tussle with Agbonlahor had Howard Webb not been alert to the striker’s part in the wrestling match
Joe Cole 5Not the virtuoso performance of Old Trafford as he slipped around the uneven turf. Almost caught Friedel out with early volley
Deco 7Hindering his own request to return to Brazil with the quality of his play. An outlet for defenders, ever vigilant for the killer pass
Frank Lampard 7Subdued in the centre of the park as he concentrated on linking the play, yet still a scorer from his solitary, late, chance
Florent Malouda 7Playing further forward as Chelsea enjoyed Wembley’s width. Created a fine chance for Drogba and sealed the win with a volley
Didier Drogba 7Combined well with Malouda to manufacture the first-half’s best chance, then he scored the opener with an assured finish
Substitutes: Kalou, Ballack and Anelka helped Chelsea keep a grip in last 20 minutes
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NOTW:
BLUES TALISMAN DROG IS HAVING HIS DAY
HE is Chelsea's lucky charm, the man for all occasions as they chase the Premier League and FA Cup Double.
Unseen through the eyes of assistant referee Simon Beck last weekend, he just about did for Manchester United's title ambitions at Old Trafford.
Yesterday, it was the turn of Aston Villa - ending their FA Cup aspirations with the strike that sank Martin O'Neill's men.
This is Didier Drogba's year, perhaps his best in a blue shirt, powering his way to glory with 32 exceptional goals.
Mention Wembley and his eyes light up, scorer of the extra-time winner against Manchester United in the 2007 final and last year's equaliser against Everton.
He was the difference again, bursting into life just as Villa were threatening to pull off a semi-final shock.
Now the Double really is on for Chelsea.
They are six games away from creating history, taking their place alongside Preston, Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Villa.
Those six teams have achieved the dream and Chelsea could be the seventh, muscling in on some of the best sides ever assembled in England.
It's within Chelsea's grasp now - an outstanding achievement in Carlo Ancelotti's first season.
They head back to Wembley on May 15 for another shot at the FA Cup.
Drogba will be on the loose, the penalty-box prowler with the goalscoring instincts of a true great.
He was there when it mattered, diverting John Terry's misguided strike beyond Brad Friedel with near-surgical precision.
It needed something special to see off O'Neill's team, pulling away from Wembley last night on the end of a scoreline that does not reflect their performance.
This is another hard-luck story for O'Neill, still smarting from the 7-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge. And don't even dare mention the Carling Cup.
There wasn't much sympathy among Chelsea's players as they eventually swatted aside a team who almost deserved to take them all the way.
O'Neill has every right to feel aggrieved about the result, denied a first-half penalty when John Obi Mikel clashed with Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Howard Webb waited, preparing to pull the trigger and give Villa the chance to take the lead from the spot.
He had to give it for the Chelsea midfielder's clumsy challenge, ignoring Agbonlahor's tug on Mikel's shirt to keep his balance.
Instead he played on, waving Chelsea through to yet another FA Cup final.
Such a shame for Villa, by far the better team for the majority of the match and yet unable to find a way past Petr Cech.
This was first class from O'Neill's side as they used the attacking thrust of Stewart Downing and Ashley Young to chip away at Chelsea's defence.
They yo-yoed up and down the touchline, human dynamos clinging on to Villa's FA Cup dream.
Downing was driven, cutting in from the left to create his team's two best chances in an absorbing opening spell.
They held on to the ball magnificently, James Milner at the hub, setting up Villa's attacks from the centre of midfield. Once he changed his boots, he kept his feet, crisply sending passes across the surface to the feet of Villa's wingers.
There were always options, a touch out to the left to find Downing or a ball into the path of Young on the right.
The strategy was spot on, getting into Chelsea's ribs by closing them down and denying Ancelotti's team time and space.
Such demands from O'Neill - surely borrowed from the Barcelona text book - and yet his Villa team was equal to them.
The sight of Lampard demanding more from his side after 10 minutes, flexing his muscles in the middle of the pitch gave Villa the incentive.
Chelsea were on the backfoot, unprepared for the probing runs of Young and Downing, driving Villa forward with purpose and pace.
There was more to this tie than turning up. It required a goal to be worked or an angle to be created before they could think about a place in the final.
Villa thrived in the Wembley atmosphere, encouraged by the travelling Holte End supporting their heroes.
Terry took a header off Agbonlahor at the far post, getting a touch when the Villa striker was perfectly set inside the six-yard box.
Villa had them rattled, on the rack after failing to find their feet in this stadium.
A goal was all they needed, something for their supporters to cling on to before Chelsea raised their game in the second half.
Perhaps it could have come from John Carew, clipping Stiliyan Petrov's corner wide at the start of the second half.
Naturally they will look at the penalty that never was, a shocking decision from Webb when he was right on the spot.
This is home from home for Chelsea, FA Cup holders after recovering from Louis Saha's first-minute goal last season.
Back then it was all about the influence of Guus Hiddink, dragging the team back into contention for major honours after Luiz Felipe Scolari's desperate spell.
Their supporters have a love affair with the competition, starting when Roberto Di Matteo scored against Middlesbrough just 42 seconds into the 1997 final.
They have gone on to win it three times since and yet they looked a long way short of their very best against Villa.
Joe Cole, scorer of Chelsea's opening goal at United last weekend with that exquisite backheel, appeared unsettled.
His best move came down the left, cutting in with his right boot and sending an effort wide of Brad Friedel's post.
That was the real Chelsea, showing defenders a clean pair of heels as they target the Double.
The Premier League will be theirs if they can keep United at arm's length in the last five games, a welcome return to the glory days for Roman Abramovich.
That's the priority but the FA Cup has special affinity with Chelsea's players after such a successful period.
Drogba had been promised a starting role by Ancelotti earlier in the week and yet Villa were well prepared for him.
Defensively, they had handled him brilliantly, with James Collins and Richard Dunne sharing the responsibility whenever he made a forward run.
That was until Dunne's defensive header was met by the boot of Terry, driving the ball into the path of Drogba to put Chelsea in front.
Maybe Terry got it right two weeks ago, accusing Villa of running out of steam when Chelsea got going at Stamford Bridge.
They couldn't recover from Drogba's strike, conceding again when Lampard directed a pass out to substitute Michael Ballack, whose cross was converted by Florent Malouda.
There was still time for Lampard to score, putting the tie well beyond Villa's reach deep into stoppage time with a tidy finish beyond Friedel.
The results sets them up for something special, two points clear of United in the Premier League and assured of their place in the final.
It will lead to another selection dilemma for Ancelotti, still unsure of his first-choice striker as the season reaches its climax.
After the week Drogba's just had, he has surely settled it once and for all.
REMAINING GAMES - ASTON VILLA: Wed v Everton (h); Apr 18 Portsmouth (a); Apr 21 v Hull (a); Apr 25 v Birmingham (h); May 1 v Man City (a); May 9 v Blackburn (h).
CHELSEA: Tue v Bolton (h); Sat v Tottenham (a); Apr 25 v Stoke (h); May 1 v Liverpool (a); May 9 v Wigan (h).
PETR CECH: Missed a cross in the first half for which he could have been punished but, like for Friedel, most of his afternoon was routine. Mark (out of 10): 6
PAULO FERREIRA: Has fitted into Chelsea's back line effortlessly in recent weeks. Found the slippery pitch a problem but was comfortable overall. 7
JOHN TERRY: A typically no-frills performance by the ex-England captain. Was equal to the little Villa threw at him and looks better alongside Alex than Carvalho. 7
ALEX: Looks like Terry's long-term centre-back partner. Ensured Carew's threat was minimal and was a major reason why the Norwegian was subbed. 7
YURI ZHIRKOV: Attacked the vulnerable Cuellar well and wasn't tested enough defensively. An able deputy in Ashley Cole's absence. 6
DECO: Another who looks reborn in recent weeks. Was able to find space but his lack of pace stopped him getting forward and hurting Villa. 7
JOHN OBI MIKEL: Lucky to get away with foul on Agbonlahor in the box but eased through the match and didn't have to sweat against Villa midfielders. 7
FRANK LAMPARD: Some neat passes through the midfield looked like creating chances for the Blues and rounded off Chelsea's day with the third goal. 7
JOE COLE: Looked inventive in all areas of the pitch early on but his threat decreased as the game wore on. Still a surprise when subbed off. 6
DIDIER DROGBA: Didn't look up for it at times but was dangerous when Chelsea got the ball to him. Perked up in the second half and got breakthrough. 8
FLORENT MALOUDA: Was involved in most of Chelsea's best work. Sent over the corner that led to Drogba's strike and scored the second himself. 8
SUBSTITUTES: Kalou (for Cole) 65mins 6, Ballack (for Deco) 76mins 7, Anelka (for Drogba) 80mins 6. Not used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Sturridge, Belletti.
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Mail:
Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 3:
Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard fire Blues to yet another FA Cup final
By Rob Draper at Wembley
Arms folded and his forehead set in a permanent frown, Carlo Ancelotti surveyed the scene at Wembley.
Frank Lampard had just tapped home Chelsea's third goal and his team had secured a place in the FA Cup final, a success to follow the famous victory at Manchester United last weekend which put them on top of the Premier League.
Yet Ancelotti's face betrayed not a hint of happiness, even though he would be inhuman if he did not permit himself a modest moment of satisfaction.
Since being on the verge of dismissal after the club's defeat by Inter Milan in the Champions League a month ago, Ancelotti can now anticipate the prospect of a Premier League and FA Cup Double in his first season in English football. And not even a certain self-styled 'Special One' managed that.
'I don't want to think about this,' he said. 'I don't like to speak with if, if we win ... this is not really true yet. We know that we are very close to winning but we haven't won anything yet.'
Perhaps he is right to take nothing for granted for yesterday's scoreline was extraordinarily harsh on Villa, whose boss Martin O'Neill departed Wembley an aggrieved man yet again.
This was no repeat of the 7-1 humiliation his side suffered at Chelsea two weeks earlier; yesterday Ancelotti's team were required to fight manfully for this victory.
Yet when O'Neill spoke of an 'injustice' at the end of the game, he was referring not to the balance of play but to another weekend of poor officiating. Blaming the referee to rewrite headlines and animate fans with a sense of righteous indignation may be a cynical game played by the majority of football mangers, yet it was difficult not to feel enormous sympathy for O'Neill.
His team were denied a clear penalty on 16 minutes by referee Howard Webb when John Obi Mikel stuck out a leg and felled the slippery Gabriel Agbonlahor, who was poised to strike.
It may be that Webb chose to ignore the offence, as Agbonlahor had a handful of Mikel's shirt while both players tussled for the ball. But having seemingly failed to spot that foul, he should logically have blown up for the secondary offence, which would have likely seen Mikel dismissed.
'It was a game-changing decision,' lamented O'Neill, and it was hard to disagree. A month ago, at the same end of Wembley Stadium, early in the Carling Cup final, referee Phil Dowd declined to send off Nemanja Vidic, also for a foul on Agbonlahor and Manchester United went on to win 2-1. At least on that day Villa had a penalty.
There was more. On 74 minutes John Terry launched a challenge on James Milner that would have resulted in apoplexy from this argumentative Chelsea team had it been committed on one of theirs.
His foot high and his intent seemingly clear, the Chelsea captain slid in, directing his studs into Milner's shin.
'JamesMilner is exceptionally lucky to have his career intact, said O'Neill afterwards. 'It was just horrendous.'
Webb produced a yellow card but when aggression like this is tolerated thus, as it frequently is in England, the game is diminished. Yet though Villa will nurse their wounds today, in truth they struggled to match Chelsea as the game progressed.
Early on they were in the ascendant. Milner sized up a shot from 25 yards out, struck and was a mere inch wide of Petr Cech's right-hand post. Ashley Young and Stewart Downing were swapping wings and tormenting Paulo Ferreira at will and on 33 minutes Downing delivered a cross from the left flank, which Villa were attacking with abandon.
Cech misjudged and Terry could only get the merest touch but John Carew, seemingly stunned the ball had got through, was unable to adjust his body position to head into what would have been an open goal.
Slowly the Cup holders took a grip. Villa were over reliant on crosses and corners, and after Carew went close with a header in the first minute of the second half, Cech and his defenders proved utterly unmoved.
Though Villa and their fans were buoyant, danger lurked in Didier Drogba, who threatened to exploit the space at the back as O'Neill's side pushed on.
When Richard Dunne executed a superb block on 64 minutes to deny Drogba and Villa scrambled the ball for a corner, they might have assumed the worst has past. They were deceived, however.
Though Dunne headed out Malouda's corner, it fell on the edge of the box to Terry, who Villa had neglected to mark.
Although the Chelsea captain miscued his shot, Drogba was unattended on the six-yard line to direct the ball past Brad Friedel, the sloppiest of goals to concede.
Chelsea remained in control and when Florent Malouda sprinted clear to turn in Michael Ballack's sweeping cross on 88 minutes, their victory was secure.
In the fourth minute of injury-time there was time for a delightful back-heel from Malouda for Nicolas Anelka to play in Frank Lampard, who tapped the ball home.
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