Languishing in 16th place, having already lost four games this season, the reigning Premier League champions required no less than three points against Villa.
Jose Mourinho opted to drop Eden Hazard, Nemanja Matic and Oscar from his starting line-up, in what inevitably brought negative suggestions that the Portuguese manager may be struggling in the dressing room.
Nonetheless, the Blues went towards silencing any such doubt when, arguably against the run of play, they opened the lead through none other than Diego Costa.
RAHEEM Sterling hit his first senior hat-trick as Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City swept aside Bournemouth 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
City were without injured duo Sergio Aguero and David Silva, but Sterling shouldered the attacking responsibilities against a Cherries side suffering even worse fitness problems.
The England winger opened the scoring in the seventh minute and netted twice more before the interval.
Wilfried Bony was also on target in either half, while Glenn Murray briefly gave his side hope at 2-1.
Manchester United kept within two points of their neighbours, Wayne Rooney capping a 3-0 win with his 187th Premier League goal.
That put him level with former Red Devil Andy Cole in second on the league's all-time list, behind only Alan Shearer.
Morgan Schneiderlin got things started with his first goal for the club after 18 minutes, followed by Ander Herrera's effort soon after.
Rooney benefited from a Phil Jagielka error to net his second league goal of the season against his former club.
Jurgen Klopp's hotly-awaited bow as Liverpool boss ended with a goalless draw at Tottenham.
The result might have swung either way, with Divock Origi heading against the crossbar for the Reds, whose goalkeeper Simon Mignolet needed to be at his best to maintain a clean sheet at the other end.
The Sam Allardyce effect yielded no immediate rewards for Sunderland, who remain winless this term following a 1-0 loss at West Brom.
Saido Berahino's reintegration at the Hawthorns continued as he snaffled the ball from Costel Pantilimon's grasp to poke home the winner in the 54th minute.
West Ham scored twice in the closing moments to see off 10-man Crystal Palace and grab a fourth away win of the campaign.
The score was tied at 1-1 after Carl Jenkinson's opener and Yohan Cabaye's twice-taken penalty when Dwight Gayle collected a second yellow card just before half-time.
The Hammers' laboured without result until the 88th minute when Andy Carroll's knockdown was finished by Lanzini before Dimitri Payet made it 3-1.
Jamie Vardy's stellar start to the season continued as he hit the target twice to salvage a point for Leicester at Southampton.
Saints looked safe after first-half goals from defenders Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk, but the division's top-scorer made it nine for the season, pouncing in the 67th and 90th minutes.
Saturday October 17 Barclays Premier League results
Tottenham Hotspurs 0 - 0 Liverpool
Chelsea 2 - 0 Aston Villa
Crystal Palace 1 - 3 West Ham
Everton 0 - 3 Manchester United
Manchester City 5 - 1 Bournemouth
Southampton 2 - 2 Leicester
West Brom 1 - 0 Sunderland
Watford 0 - 3 Arsenal
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