• Defender insists Villa equaliser in 3-3 draw was not his fault
• Goal denied 19-year-old win on full debut for London club

Jeffrey Bruma admitted Chelsea only had themselves to blame after throwing away victory against Aston Villa yesterday but denied he was personally at fault for the visitors’ late equaliser.

Bruma was denied a win on what was his full debut for the champions as Villa struck in stoppage-time to seal a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge. The result left Chelsea in fifth place, six points behind unbeaten leaders Manchester United having played a game more, and crucially outside the Champions League spots.

Chelsea had staged a late fightback from 2-1 down to lead 3-2 going into stoppage-time but then allowed Ciaran Clark to score with a free header at the back post.

“Everyone knows Premier League games are always fast, quick, strong, so if we don’t play our game then they will play their game and you will see that they will dominate us. It can happen,” the 19-year-old said. “At the end, we were dominating them again and then you saw that we scored a goal. After, I think we should’ve kept the ball and been strong in the marking because the guy from Villa had a free header.”

The young Dutchman insisted he was not personally responsible for Clark’s equaliser: “I was marking my man. I think everyone else was, or maybe someone forgot to mark his one.”

However, Bruma did struggle to cope with Emile Heskey for much of the game, with the former England striker climbing above the teenager to head in Villa’s second. “He’s a very strong guy,” Bruma told Chelsea TV. “Obviously, when you play against a striker like him, you can’t win every ball. You can’t come always in front of him, because he’s so strong.”

Ancelotti turned to Bruma yesterday after Branislav Ivanovic’s suspension left him without a recognised experienced centre-half to play alongside John Terry.

Chelsea travel to Wolves on Wednesday knowing that anything other than victory is unthinkable. Villa would also love a win, with yesterday’s result ending their run of six defeats in seven matches.

“I couldn’t ask for any more really after that finish,” Clark told AVTV. “To go 3-2 down in the last few minutes after the performance we had put in was just devastating. I turned around and saw all the lads with their heads in their hands after they scored that one.”

Rubbishing reports of dressing-room unrest, the 21-year-old added: “We have shown we’ve got no problems at all. It’s just the luck hasn’t been with us. When that third went in for them, I thought, ‘Here we go again’. But we showed how strong we really are when we came back and got the draw.”

Chelseaguardian.co.uk

How the players rated

Aston Villa 4-4-2

Brad Friedel – 5

It was coming up to half-time when he was first tested. Although there was little he could do to prevent the goals, he will be irked by the scoreline considering he was scarcely under siege until the very end.

Carlos Cuellar – 6

Solid and assured. Given Malouda was recently annointed as the best in the Premiership on current form, but against the no-nonsense Spaniard, he was well smothered until two minutes from time.

James Collins – 6

His partnership with Dunne has been so important to Villa this term and his wholehearted efforts, although sometimes a little rash, helped to make life difficult for Chelsea until the result was assured.

Richard Dunne – 6

His competitive streak and organisation helped give a strong base from which to work. Somewhat cruelly, he denied Drogba with heroics moments before a weak clearance led to Chelsea’s opener.

Stephen Warnock – 7

A compliment that not a lot came down his flank from Chelsea. Had the presence of mind to drift centrally to throw himself into a superb block to charge down Drogba.

Ashley Young – 6

Inconsistent in his deliveries, but eager to keep plugging away trying to make inroads. Enjoyed more space in the second half, and one surge forced Cech to parry and kept the pressure on.

James Milner – 7

Began with the wrong boots for the pitch, and after a couple of slips and a change of footwear fizzed a shot fractionally wide. Relentlessly busy, and Chelsea could never quite relax with him buzzing around.

Stiliyan Petrov – 7

Scampered across midfield in a positive opening spell for Villa. His presence and combative edge ensured Chelsea were not able to command midfield in their usual manner.

Stewart Downing – 6

Had to work hard to strike the right balance between pushing on whilst staying mindful of the threat of Zhirkov. Responsible, if not eye-catching, performance.

John Carew – 7

Commanding in the air, as expected. He went agonisingly close just after half-time when he connected to an inswinging corner. Caused plenty of discomfort, but not enough came of it.

Gabriel Agbonlahor – 7

Mobile, powerful, impressive. Worried Chelsea early on with his acceleration. Ought to have won a 15th minute penalty when impeded by Mikel. In front of Fabio Capello, he faded, however.

SUBSTITUTES

Heskey (replaced Carew 81) 5.

Subs not used Guzan, L Young, Beye, Sidwell, Delph, Delfouenso

Chelsea 4-1-4-1

Petr Cech – 6

Misread Downing’s dangerous cross, which was not his most convincing moment as Carew waited to pounce. For all Villa’s promise and possession, though, they did not worry Chelsea’s keeper enough. Largely untroubled.

Paulo Ferreira – 6

Anxious in possession, a couple of mistakes gave Villa encouragement to assert themselves. He has filled in competently over the past few weeks but he showed some sketchy moments.

John Terry – 6

A subtle flick proved crucial as Carew lurked in the box. A relaxed defensive display, and got an unlikely assist when his shot, which was going wide, was turned in by Drogba. Booked for a nasty lunge on Milner.

Alex – 5

The centre-back struggled to challenge Carew in the aerial battles and never had much chance in a race with Agbonlahor, he looked ragged at times.

Yuri Zhirkov – 6

Villa were so unnerved by his attacking raids last time out he won two penalties, but here he was pegged back much more that he would like.

Mikel John Obi – 6

A lucky boy that Howard Webb waved away Villa’s penalty claim when he obstructed Agbonlahor. The game’s most sensitive turning point went his way, and from then he broke up play with his usual bite. Booked.

Joe Cole – 7

Dinked into space to take the first shot of the game, and slipped in another to keep Friedel on his toes. A drifting role saw him pop up all over the place, until he was substituted.

Frank Lampard – 7

So potent during the 7-1 win, he was compelled to play a more disciplined game today. At times he was an auxilliary screening midfielder alongside Mikel. Advanced to pick out the third in stoppage time.

Deco – 6

Kept moves ticking over with his crisp passing. The Brazilian excels at the simple things, but Chelsea required more invention from midfield. Booked for hooking a leg out at Petrov, and made way for Ballack.

Florent Malouda – 7

A subdued outing, and Villa were by no stretch as tormented by him as last time out. That did not stop him from leaving his imprint on the game. A late dash and steer of the left boot ended the contest.

Didier Drogba – 8

A virtual spectator during the opening exchanges, Ancelotti’s big pick up front began to gnaw away at Villa just before the interval. The threat grew and his goal, on one of his favourite grounds, felt inevitable.

SUBSTITUTES

Kalou (replaced J Cole 64) 6; Ballack (replaced Deco 76) 7; Anelka (replaced Drogba 80) 6. Subs not used Hilário, Ivanovic, Belletti, Sturridge, Anelka

FA CupAston VillaChelseaAmy Lawrenceguardian.co.uk