McCann strike sends Chelsea crashing

Is this the first crisis of the Roman revolution? Beaten at home last weekend in the Premiership, Chelsea's first chance to secure a trophy in return for the Abramovich millions evaporated at Villa Park last night, where the side currently sitting nervously on the brink of the relegation zone fully deserved their passage to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup, where they will meet Bolton over two legs.

Chelsea never looked comfortable against opponents who rose to the occasion magnificently. Joe Cole did cancel out a superb first-half goal by Juan Pablo Angel but justice was served when Gavin McCann scored again for Villa 12 minutes from time.

The visitors rallied late on but Thomas Sorensen made sure McCann's goal was the winner with an incredible stoppage-time save from John Terry's bullet header.

Claudio Ranieri, the Chelsea manager, denied that the seven changes he made from the side surprisingly beaten at home by Bolton signalled a lack of ambition.

"I wanted to win this game, the same as if it was the Premiership or the Champions' League," Ranieri said. "All teams go through bad periods and Chelsea's is now. What is important is that we stay together and show a good reaction. I want to see how well we come out of this."

Chelsea enjoyed the bigger share of possession initially, keeping the atmosphere subdued as a relatively small crowd waited for some meaningful action. But when the quiet was broken it was by an almighty roar to greet an excellent goal by Angel.

Seizing possession just inside the Chelsea half, the Colombian set off on a weaving run, brushing aside Terry's challenge and, when William Gallas got back to cover, simply sidestepped him before unleashing a rising drive from 22 yards that beat Neil Sullivan comprehensively at his near post. It was Angel's 11th goal this season, including five in this competition.

The Villa manager, David O'Leary, is too modest to take credit for the improvement the previously enigmatic and unsettled striker has shown since he arrived, although perhaps it is to do with them being neighbours in plush Little Aston?

It was a reflection of how hard Chelsea found it to break down Villa's disciplined defensive shield that 41 minutes had elapsed before they managed a shot on target. Cole delivered it but Sorensen saved well.

The Chelsea manager's reaction, not unexpectedly, was to make changes. Frank Lampard replaced Claude Makelele at half-time and the second period was less than 10 minutes old when Hernan Crespo and Jesper Gronkjaer appeared at the touchline.

Villa might have increased their lead twice while Chelsea were adjusting to those changes, but Angel flashed one attempt just wide and then Sullivan pulled off a stunning save.

How O'Leary would have loved to have seen one of those fly in. Instead, with 22 minutes remaining, Chelsea equalised. Crespo waited just long enough for Cole to arrive in the penalty area before sliding the ball across for his team-mate to force home.

The prospect of extra time loomed but another 30 minutes was clearly the last thing either side wanted with both of them continuing to chase victory in the final phase. With 12 minutes left, Villa deservedly regained the advantage, Angel again testing Sullivan, who could only beat the ball out into the path of McCann, who slid in to score from just inside the six-yard box.

Aston Villa (4-4-2): Sorensen; Delaney, Mellberg, Johnsen, Samuel; Hendrie (Hitzlsperger, 68), McCann, Whittingham, Barry; Angel (Crouch, 82), Vassell (Moore, 52). Substitutes not used: Postma (gk), Ridgewell.

Chelsea (3-4-3): Sullivan; Melchiot, Terry, Gallas; Johnson (Crespo, 55), Makalele (Lampard, h-t), Geremi, Babayaro; Duff (Gronkjaer, 55), Hasselbaink, Cole. Substitutes not used: Ambrosio (gk), Desailly.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).