Adam's late show

With a quick swipe of his orange boot Adam Phillip ensured Chelsea will return to Villa Park hopeful of winning their first FA Youth Cup since 1961.

On a frustrating night for the Blues where they squandered numerous openings before falling behind to Nathan Delfouneso's strike, Chelsea needed Phillip's late equaliser to ensure they travel to the Midlands for the second leg all square.

Chelsea favourite Frank Lampard signed autographs as the teams kicked off - one fan screamed 'I love you' - while Villa boss Martin O'Neill observed keenly just yards away in the opposite dugout.

Villa were forced into an early change after Sam Simmods was the victim of a bone crunching tackle. Although legitimate, the contact reverberated around Stamford Bridge and he was soon hauled off for Steven Clancy.

Chelsea fashioned the first chance when Morten Neilsen, scorer in the last round, headed straight at Elliot Parish.

Chelsea winger Miroslav Stoch, the sort of player you never get tired of watching, enjoyed plenty of early possession as Chelsea dominated the early exchanges.

The fans arriving late and standing at the back of the East Stand lower tier would have seen Villa defending resolutely with Matthew Roome's impeccably timed tackles a feature.

Chelsea went close again on 29 minutes when Stoch drove down the line and drilled a cross to Nielsen but his extravagant back-heel deflected behind.

For all Chelsea's slick passing, and there was plenty to enjoy, it was the visitors who had the best chance of the half on 39 minutes. The busy Marc Albrighton sent a looping header towards the far post where the lurking James Collins swivelled but volleyed into the empty seats in the lower tier of the Matthew Harding Stand.

Albrighton almost conjured up something on the stroke of half-time, bursting past Ben Gordon before delivering an inviting cross which flashed across the turf.

Villa should have taken the lead a minute after the restart. Delfouneso looked set to unleash a strike on goal but unselfishly laid the ball off to Collins who forced a superb save from Parish.

Chelsea failed to heed the warning as the visitors went ahead a minute later when Delfouneso wriggled through the Chelsea defence before rolling the ball into the back of the net.

Stoch should have equalised on 50 minutes when he latched on to a loose ball but could only watch in horror as his chip sailed over.

Chelsea came back with another chance seconds later. Gael Kakuta, a hat-trick hero in the last round but disappointly quiet this time, chipped a teasing ball to half-time sub Jacob Mellis who connected sweetly with a thumping volley that Parish somehow saved.

In a sharp contrast to a dreary first half, the play was now end to end as Villa sought a crucial second goal. The unmarked Collins, who endured a frustrating evening, was again left with his head in his hands after a wayward header from Albrighton's tantalising cross.

Both sides went close before second half sub Adam Phillip was inches away from equalising with minutes remaining, his well-hit shot striking the upright and rebounding away from danger.

The young striker didn't let that miss phase him moments later. After Kakuta had picked out Stoch with a raking diagonal ball, Phillip smashed the resulting low cross into the roof of the net.

But the drama did not end there. With eyes focused on the clock and Chelsea's limping keeper, Sergio Tejera Rodriguez raced clear only to be thwarted by the excellent Parish.

Chelsea: 1 Rhys Taylor, 2 Seth Nana Ofori Twumasi (C), 3 Jeffery Van Homoet Bruma, 4 Patrick Van Aanholt, 5 Benjamin Gordon, 6 Michael Woods, 7 Frank Nouble (12 Jacob Mellis, 46 mins), 8 Sergio Tejera Rodriguez, 9 Morten Nielsen (15 Adam Phillip, 59 mins), 10 Gael Kakuta, 11 Miroslav Stoch.

Subs not used: 13 Sam Walker, 14 Thomas Taiwo, 16 Fabio Borini.

Aston Villa: 1 Elliot Parish, 2 Sam Simmods (12 Steven Clancy, 12 mins), 3 Nathan Baker (14 Daniel Bradley, 46 mins), 4 Matthew Roome, 5 Ciaran Clark (C), 6 Dominic Hofbauer, 7 Marc Albrighton, 8 Barry Bannan, 9 James Collins, 10 Nathan Delfouneso, 11 Harry Forrester (16 William Grocott, 90 mins).

Subs not used: 13 Thomas Dau, 15 Kofi Poyser.

Referee: P W Melin

Assistant Referees: J E Pearce and G S Evetts.

Fourth Official: G D Horwood.