Chelsea 2 Aston Villa 1: Visitors deserved a point, admits Mourinho

Jose Mourinho admitted Aston Villa deserved a point after Chelsea edged to an unconvincing victory at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues took a first-half lead after Brad Guzan’s save to deny Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard was deflected onto Villa defender Antonio Luna and into the visitors’ net.

However, Christian Benteke, who scored twice in a 3-1 win at The Emirates on Saturday, fired a thunderous effort past Petr Cech on the stroke of half-time.

But Chelsea secured a 100 per cent start under Mourinho when Branislav Ivanović headed Frank Lampard’s free-kick past Villa goalkeeper Guzan with 17 minutes remaining.

“That was very hard. I missed that about the Premier League! Normally matches in the Bernabeu we win every match very comfortable, this was very hard, it’s what I like,” Mourinho told BBC Sport.

“I told Paul Lambert that they deserve a point, it wouldn’t be unfair.

He continued: “They fought a lot. They have their style which is not my style.

“They have a special player with special qualities with Christian Benteke, they transport the ball to your half and he is a big boy who makes a lot of fouls. It’s difficult. They are very dangerous in counter-attack as well.”

Mourinho defended match-winner Ivanović after Paul Lambert claimed the Serbian should have received a red card for an altercation with Benteke.

“Benteke makes a lot of fouls and the opponent who plays against him has to make a lot of fouls,” Mourinho added.

“Paul Lambert reminds me of me at his age. Now I complain with some decisions, at his age I complained at every decision. Paul complains at every decision, I was the same. Benteke and Ivanovic, they are two giants, it was 50/50.”