(Updates after Fulham v Blackburn Rovers)
By Ken Ferris
LONDON, April 12 - Chelsea's faltering hopes of
catching leaders Arsenal suffered a severe setback after a 3-2
defeat at Aston Villa in the premier league on Monday.
Their lacklustre performance leaves Chelsea seven points
adrift of Arsenal, who have 78 points from 32 matches and a game
in hand on their London rivals, who have just five matches left.
Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri had already conceded that
Arsenal would win the championship after his team could only
manage a goalless draw against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
But any hopes that the west London side could narrow the gap
to four points disappeared as goals from Darius Vassell, Thomas
Hitzlsperger and Lee Hendrie gave Villa victory after Chelsea
had taken a first-half lead through Hernan Crespo.
"We lost the battle. We wanted to play (well) but it was not
possible," Ranieri told Sky Sports.
"In the second half they played some good football, they
surprised us twice and then it was very hard to come back.
"When your opponent plays better than you you can only say
'well done'," he said.
LIVERPOOL SLUMP
Villa improved their chances of European football next
season as they moved within a point of fourth-placed Liverpool,
who slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Charlton Athletic, and
Newcastle United, who drew 0-0 at home to Arsenal on Sunday.
Charlton's win came courtesy of a Shaun Bartlett goal just
after the hour mark to secure their first victory at Anfield
since 1954 as they moved up two places to seventh.
Portsmouth moved three points clear of the drop zone with a
3-1 win at home to 10-man Birmingham City who lost keeper Maik
Taylor for a handball outside the area just before the break.
Blackburn Rovers ended a run of three defeats and slightly
eased their relegation fears in a 4-3 win at Fulham as Jon Stead
scored a vital 75th-minute goal to secure all three points.
Manchester City are level with Rovers and Portsmouth on 34
points after a 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur. Nicolas Anelka's
15th league goal of the season was answered by Jermain Defoe.
Wolverhampton Wanderers lost 2-1 at home to Bolton whose
striker Kevin Davies struck a late winner to leave the bottom
club six points from the safety zone with five games left.
CHELSEA BLUES
Chelsea took the lead in the 11th minute when Crespo tapped
the ball into an empty net after strike partner Adrian Mutu had
headed the ball against the near post.
Villa were level six minutes before the break through a
Vassell penalty after Chelsea full back Mario Melchiot had
clattered into Gareth Barry on the left edge of the area.
German midfielder Hitzlsperger put Villa 2-1 ahead when he
struck a left foot cross shot into the far corner of Marco
Ambrosio's goal from 22 metres.
Peter Crouch helped set up their third goal when he nodded a
long throw from Jlloyd Samuel into the path of Hendrie whose
shot on the turn from eight metres gave Ambrosio no chance.
Crespo got an injury-time consolation for Chelsea but by
then the London side had already accepted defeat.
On Tuesday, Leeds United host Everton, while third-placed
Manchester United welcome Leicester City. Leeds are three points
adrift of the safety zone on 31 points while Leicester have 28.