Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was satisfied with their 0-0 draw against Aston Villa last night.
The Blues were held to a goalless draw after Nicolas Anelka headed against the woodwork in the closing seconds and they have now only won once at Villa Park in their last 12 visits.
But Ancelotti was happy with the way his team responded to the absence of key players such as Didier Drogba, Alex, Salomon Kalou and Frank Lampard.
He said: "We didn't start so well and gave Villa a couple of good chances, but in the second half we played very well.
"We did everything to try and score. The way we played in the second half we deserved to win, but Villa did well in the first half, so a draw is fair.
"I am not disappointed about failing to go seven points clear. We knew this would be a difficult game.
"Last year we lost here. This is a good result at this stage of the season, and to be five points clear is good.
"I'm not going to complain about the injured players because the ones who came in today did well."
