Below-par Blues held again
The last time Chelsea went three matches without a win was in April 2004 under Claudio Ranieri
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Manchester United blew the chance to go nine points clear at the top of the table after a 2-2 draw with Newcastle at St James' Park. |  |
Tuesday, 02, Jan 2007 10:29
Chelsea extended their winless run to three matches after a turgid 0-0 draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The Premiership champions blew the chance to slice Manchester United's lead at the top of the Premiership and now trail the league leaders by six points.
It is the first time the Blues have gone three matches without a win since boss Jose Mourinho took charge.
Mourinho's night was made worse by the news that defender Khalid Boulahrouz will be out for a month with a knee injury after limping off in the first half.
The Blues created the first chance of the game on eight minutes when Michael Essien's pinpoint cross found Didier Drogba who hit his volley into the ground and over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Chelsea's only shot on target in the first half came from a header from Ashley Cole which was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly.
Nine minutes before half-time, Drogba came close to scoring a spectacular goal when he whacked a right-foot volley that sailed just past the post as Villa continued to soak up the pressure.
Chelsea continued to dominate after the break but looked toothless in attack.
A blunder by the Villa goalkeeper on 56 minutes allowed Salomon Kalou a shot at goal but his effort was blocked.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill had his hands on his head in despair on 76 minutes after Liam Ridgewell came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with a towering header from a corner that went wide.
A clanger from goalkeeper Hilario nearly allowed Villa a dramatic winner after the shot-stopper punched the ball inches away from the charging Olof Mellberg.
Stand-in skipper Frank Lampard should have grabbed a late winner in the 90th minute but blasted his shot over the bar from close range.
In stoppage time, Drogba fired his header over the bar from Cole's cross to cap off another frustrating night for the Blues.
The result sees Villa end their run of four straight defeats and move up one place to 13th.