Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to put the doom and gloom of the latter part of 2010 to bed and look forward to a bright 2011. We were certainly treated to the sort of spirit and determination that abandoned our side of late as the boys fought against an inexplicably inept refereeing performance to grab a last ditch point thanks to Ciaran Clark.

Villa had fallen behind early, just as they appeared to be shedding early nerves and impose themselves on the game, referee Lee Mason deciding that James Collins was a little too clumsy challenging Malouda for a high ball in the box, no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Brad Friedel picked up a booking to add to the one Petrov had earned minutes earlier for his protestations, but in truth it was nice to see some defiance as opposed to the muted acceptance in Manchester last weekend.

Lampard made no mistake with the penalty and it seemed as if we might be looking at a very familiar story. James Collins was booked as the team trudged back to the centre circle, clearly aggrieved.

But no one dropped their heads, not one, the fight was taken back to Chelsea and the pressure eventually paid off shortly before half time when Mason had no option but to award us a penalty when Reo-Coker was knocked to floor in by Essien, who would somehow commit the most fouls of the game, but escape a booking himself.

Ashley Young blasted the penalty into the roof of the net and led enthusiastic celebrations with just minutes left before half time.

Second half

Chelsea looked shaky from the start of the second half, a weak back pass from Ferreira putting Cech in trouble, Heskey close to pouncing. But it was a free kick for a foul by Essien, once again, tripping Petrov that set up the opportunity to take the lead moments later.

Ash switched the ball out to Downing lurking on the right who sent a searching cross, probably his best delivery of the game, in for Heskey to nod in, beating young Bruma in the air.

That set up a nervy second half with Villa frequently having to defend ferociously, the effort from the players to track back was fantastic, particularly Downing and Agbonlahor doing their best to help out Cuellar and Clark as make-shift full backs behind them.

Inevitably, after Brad Friedel made a couple of match winning saves, Chelsea were back on terms with six minutes of normal time left. Drogba (who else?) appeared to control a cross with his upper arm, Friedel made yet another brilliant save (probably from Kalou at point blank range) and Drogba was able to get another opportunity to shoot.

Amazingly though, and perhaps evidence of things not going our way, Drogba’s shot had to find its way past Friedel, Dunne, Collins, Clark and Cuellar, all desperately trying to block, and it managed to squirm through somehow.

Brave John Terry

Worse though, Chelsea weren’t done. I asked who else but Drogba, the answer was, of course, England’s brave John Terry.

Marc Albrighton, who had replaced the limping Gabby, put himself off balance trying to get himself in a position to clear a dangerous ball on the left. Essien seized on the loose ball and skipped away before sending in a very challenging cross, Drogba’s header was fierce, but brilliantly saved by Friedel, only for the ball to fall to Terry to casually stroke in.

The whole Chelsea squad erupted into celebrations of what must have been the winning goal with just a minute of normal time left on the clock. Their season surely back on track, Carlo Ancelotti on the pitch. John Terry, brave, brave John Terry.

No. Five minutes of time added, Villa not giving up, the fight was on for a third. A free kick on the half way line, Ash stood over it, brave John Terry organised his defence.

Ash sent the ball toward Richard Dunne in the box, but the it’s cleared as far as Marc Albrighton lurking in the left channel, a chance to atone for his mistake. He takes a touch, looks up, shapes to cross, but then another touch to take it past Sturridge attempting to charge him down.

Brave John Terry bravely marshals his back line, commanding from his position on the penalty spot. He glances briefly at Ciaran Clark behind him, he’s not brave, Ashley Cole has him under control, but Marc Albrighton’s delivery curls in over brave John Terry’s head.

Ciaran Clark is the only one alive, Ashley Cole vainly appeals for offside as our young defender steals in and casually nods past the flat footed Cech. It’s 3-3.

And John Terry’s face was priceless.

IT’S THREE – THREE!!

And there’s a claret and blue man pile in the corner while brave John Terry bravely leads his brave men back to the centre circle. Bravely.

There were four minutes of injury time left; I’ve no idea what happened. I saw replays of Randy Lerner diving on Paul Falkner and hugging him, Doug Ellis behind them with a grin from ear to ear. Beside Doug a man with a tall hat on also celebrated. It was quite the scene, man.

And there you have it, an epic game in every sense, but massively significant for us as it hopefully signals the return of some spirit, the very spirit we’ll need to get out of this mess.

We’re still in the quagmire and getting out won’t be easy, make no mistake, but if they play like that more than not, we’ll be fine, just fine.

Take this one in, enjoy it, savour it. Then, next up, Sunderland on Wednesday at Villa Park. One game at a time.

Oh, and Lee Mason shouldn’t be allowed to referee another game until he’s had some kind of additional training. Seven Villa players booked. Seven. Absolute nonsense.

Aston Villa starting XI: Friedel, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Clark, Downing, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Agbonlahor, Young, Heskey. Subs: Marshall, Pires, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Bannan, Lichaj, Herd.

Chelsea starting XI: Cech; Ferreira, Bruma, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Subs: Turnball, Kalou, Bosingwa, Sturridge, Mellis, Van Aanholt, McEachran