Villa secured a first league victory against one of the big four since April 2004 thanks to a superb display against Chelsea.

Goals from debutant Zat Knight and Gabby Agbonlahor secured the points and Villa were well worth the victory.

O'Neill's men were simply outstanding - as were the Claret and Blue Army on a memorable afternoon at Villa Park.

Young sent over a cross from the right inside the first 30 seconds, but Cech came off his line to collect.

Carew got the better of Alex on three, but stumbled as he raced into the Chelsea box.

Malouda's rising effort from the edge of the box was deflected behind for a corner a minute later.

Cech brilliantly denied Agbonlahor on seven as the Villa man shot on the turn after linking up with Young down the right.

The end to end action continued and Carson comfortably collected Essien's long range effort moments later.

England captain Terry headed over the bar as he met a right-wing corner on 12. Seconds later Carson did well to palm a low drive from Wright-Phillips wide.

Agbonlahor continued to look lively and fired straight at Cech from the edge of the box on 14.

Agbonlahor headed wide as he rose to meet Barry's left-wing centre three minutes later.

Wright-Phillips fired into the side-netting after breaking down the left on 20.

Cech came off his line to collect Mellberg's cross from the right on 28 as Moore arrived at the far-post.

Reo-Coker brilliantly denied Drogba a minute later as the striker had muscled his way past Knight to the edge of the Villa box.

Laursen headed over as he rose to meet Mellberg's cross on 42. Carew then fired into the Holte End from 25 yards.

Cole cleared Young's left-wing cross off the line on 45 as Agbonlahor looked certain to connect and open the scoring.

Young almost broke the deadlock on 47, but his curling effort was tipped over the bar by Cech.

Knight did open the scoring from the resulting corner though, rising to head home Barry's centre from the right.

Moore almost found spece behind Terry on 50, but the defender recovered to clear Carew's flick.

Wright-Phillips sliced wide from the edge of the box a minute later as the visitors looked for a quick reply.

Barry fired into the side-netting as he linked-up with Young down the left on 58.

Mellberg then scrambled the ball behind as Drogba raced into the Villa box and crossed from the right.

Reo-Coker's timely challenge was enough to deny Malouda on 62, as the Chelsea man prepared to shoot from the edge of the box.

Terry headed onto the roof of the net as he met Joe Cole's corner from the right on 65.

Chelsea piled on the pressure as the game wore on, but Villa were doggedly resisting.

Moore provided respite with a surging run down the left on 82, but was eventually crowded out on the edge of the Chelsea box.

As the seconds ticked away Chelsea sent Terry and Alex forward to pile on the pressure.

And Villa exploited the gaps on 88 with Young breaking down the left and crossing for Agbonlahor to slot past Cech.

Joe Cole almost reduced the arrears in stoppage-time, but his low angled shot on the turn flashed just past the post.

VILLA: Carson, Knight, Bouma, Mellberg, Laursen, Young, Reo-Coker (booked 56), Barry (booked 66), Carew (booked 71), Moore, Agbonlahor (booked 71). Subs: Taylor, Harewood, Petrov (for Carew 79), Gardner, Maloney.

Chelsea: Cech, A.Cole, Makelele, Essien, Drogba (booked 70), Mikel, Malouda, Wright-Phillips, Terry, Alex, Belletti. Subs: Cudicini, J.Cole (for Wright-Phillips 63), Pizarro (for Mikel 53), Kalou (for Makelele 63), Ben-Haim.