体坛英语新闻：Chelsea suffer bitter draw against Villa

LONDON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chelsea were held by Aston Villa 3-3 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as Ciaran Clark snatched a stoppage time goal for the visitors, leaving the defending champions to struggle in the fifth place at the Premier League.

Chelsea, grabbing their first win in seven league matches on Wednesday, broke the deadlock first with a penalty kick by Frank Lampard in the 23rd minute after Florent Malouda had been fouled in the boxing area.

But Villa managed to gain the equalizer in the same way as Ashley Young scored from the penalty kick after Michael Essien's challenge on Nigel Reo-Coker with four minutes to go to the interval.

Chelsea's John Terry (C) celebrates with team mates their third goal against Aston Villa during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London January 2, 2011.

In the second half, Chelsea paid the price soon for their careless defence when Emile Heskey headed in Stewart Downing's cross to make it 2-1.

The Blues improved while trailed behind but Villa keeper Brad Friedel seemed too formidable to beat. The 39-year-old superbly tipped over Lampard's volley before saved Malouda's shot with his legs.

When Villa looked promising to take three points from the Londoners, Didier Drogba gave them a blow by slotting home at the near post with six minutes remaining in the regular time and John Terry added a third five minutes later.

But Villa kept fighting and finally grabbed a point when Clark nodded home in the 91st minute.

Chelsea are six points behind the leaders Manchester United as the Red Devils get one more game in hand.

Wigan lost to Newcastle 1-0 as Shola Ameobi scored the only goal of the game.