Clark and Villa deny Chelsea victory
Sunday, January 2, 2011
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Chelsea FC have won just one of their last eight league matches after a 3-3 draw with struggling Aston Villa FC on a day when Newcastle United FC overcame Wigan Athletic FC.
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An added-time header from Ciaran Clark rescued a point for Aston Villa FC in a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw with Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge.
Villa, who had lost five of their previous six Premier League matches, appeared to be on their way to a much-needed victory when Emile Heskey (47) rose above Jeffrey Bruma to power in Stewart Downing's cross. That put Gérard Houllier's team 2-1 up, Ashley Young (41) having equalised from the spot after Frank Lampard had given Chelsea the lead with a penalty of his own midway through the first half.
With the game entering its closing stages, Didier Drogba squeezed in a shot from close range to equalise and John Terry then stroked in the rebound following a save from Brad Friedel. However, just as Chelsea were savouring the prospect of back-to-back wins, the unmarked Clark guided in Marc Albrighton's teasing delivery.
That leaves Chelsea − winners of just one of their last eight league fixtures − in fifth, six points off the pace, while Villa are 15th, two places above the relegation zone. In the day's other game, Shola Ameobi tapped in the only goal as Newcastle United FC climbed to tenth place thanks to a 1-0 win at lowly Wigan Athletic FC.