LONDON, 13 April 2004 — Chelsea’s faltering hopes of catching leaders Arsenal suffered a severe setback after a 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa in the Premier League yesterday.

Their lackluster performance leaves Chelsea seven points adrift of Arsenal, who have 78 points from 32 matches and a game in hand on their London rivals, who have just five matches left.

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri had already conceded that Arsenal would win the championship after his team could only manage a goalless draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

But any hopes that the west London side could narrow the gap to four points disappeared as goals from Darius Vassell, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Lee Hendrie gave Villa victory after Chelsea had taken a first-half lead through Hernan Crespo.

“We lost the battle. We wanted to play (well) but it was not possible,” Ranieri told Sky Sports.

“In the second half they played some good football, they surprised us twice and then it was very hard to come back.

“When your opponent plays better than you, you can only say ‘well done’,” he said.

Villa improved their chances of European football next season as they moved within a point of fourth-placed Liverpool, who slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Charlton Athletic, and Newcastle United, who drew 0-0 at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

Charlton’s win came courtesy of a Shaun Bartlett goal just after the hour mark to secure their first victory at Anfield since 1954 as they moved up two places to seventh.

At the bottom Portsmouth moved three points clear of the relegation zone as they jumped one spot to 16th after a 3-1 win at home to 10-man Birmingham City who lost goalkeeper Maik Taylor for a handball outside the area just before the break.

Bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers lost 2-1 at home to Bolton Wanderers after striker Kevin Davies struck a last-gasp winner to make the home side’s chances of avoiding the drop all the more unlikely with just five games remaining. Wolves are six points away from the safety zone.

Manchester City moved on to 34 points after a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Tottenham Hotspur with Nicolas Anelka’s 15th league goal of the season bringing a reply from Jermain Defoe.

Chelsea took the lead in the 11th minute when Crespo tapped the ball into an empty net after strike partner Adrian Mutu had headed the ball against the near post.

Villa were level six minutes before the break through a Vassell penalty after Chelsea full back Mario Melchiot had clattered into Gareth Barry on the left edge of the area.

German midfielder Hitzlsperger put Villa 2-1 ahead when he struck a left foot cross shot into the far corner of Marco Ambrosio’s goal from 22 meters.

Peter Crouch helped set up their third goal when he nodded a long throw from Jlloyd Samuel into the path of Hendrie whose shot on the turn from eight meters gave Ambrosio no chance.

Ahli, Sfaxien Draw 1-1: Arab Champions League

Al-Ahli were held to a 1-1 draw in an away match against CS Sfaxien of Tunisia during their Arab Champions League match yesterday, writes Mahmoud Ahmad in Jeddah.

Ahli drew first blood scoring the fastest goal of the championship when Khalid Gahwaji shot a direct hit after receiving a pass from Ali Al-Abdali in the 30th minute of the first half.

The well-organized Ahli looked more dangerous as they increased their pressure in the course of the game. But most of their attempts were either blocked or crossed over the bar.

Ahli could have secured almost three points had Muhammad Tarhuni not scored in the 72nd minute. That goal gave them a draw. Ahli are on top in Group B followed by Sfaxien who also have two points.