On an afternoon of eight-goal drama and several other game-changing moments, analysis by the two managers afterwards centred on an incident-by-incident look at several big decisions.

The sendings-off and the penalties that first sent Chelsea on the road to recovery from a two-goal deficit - but ultimately cost Avram Grant's side a win were the most contentious points of debate.

The Chelsea first-team coach/manager was in little doubt that the spot-kick and red card given against Ashley Cole in the final minute was an incorrect call, backed up since by the club's appeal against the dismissal.

'I saw it again on television and it was not a penalty but I cannot change it,' Grant said. 'For Carvalho's sending-off, for me the tackle did not have the intention to hurt the other player but I respect the decision of the referee.

'It was an exciting game but I am disappointed because on the one hand, we came back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 but on the other hand, we dropped two points because we were leading 3-2, dominating the game, and the other team didn't have chance to score.

'Then from a free-kick they had the chance to score and then when we made it 4-3 at just the right moment, there came the penalty.'

It was easy to understand Grant's frustration. Two goals in arrears with a minute to go before the break, even the most optimistic Chelsea fan must have feared the long home record was to end at 71 games.

However having done the hard work with Andriy Shevchenko scoring two and creating a third, it was slackness at the back and then a disputed spot-kick that left the Blues with just one point from a home game and the first four goals shipped since playing Charlton away exactly four years ago, in the days of Claudio Ranieri in charge.

And then on top of that, Grant lost Frank Lampard to another thigh problem midway through the first-half.

'Shevchenko was good today,' praised Grant. 'He knows how to score goals and give smart assists. With Lampard, you cannot give diagnosis after one hour. He will have a scan tomorrow.

'I am waiting for the first day we can be like the other teams and have all my players. I think it will come one day.'

Aston Villa are fast becoming a problem side for Chelsea and their manager Martin O'Neill was both pleased with his side's display but also frustrated over some refereeing decisions.

'We were terrific and just before half-time, 2-0 up which we deserved to be, playing brilliantly, there was a major moment in the game when Chelsea were given a penalty. I thought it was very harsh,' he said, indicating an appeal would be considered.

O'Neill also disputed the free-kick award that led to his opponents making it 3-2 although had not such question over the last minute Villa penalty.

'Cole has handled the ball and I think it is clear cut and the linesman has spotted it. This was not nine men Chelsea against ten men Aston Villa. We had a man sent-off before half-time and they had a man sent-off with about 11 minutes to go and then with seconds to go.

'I am only three-and-a-half per cent biased,' he added enigmatically. 'I am disputing a decision or two and I accept the fact that I have replays whereas the referee only has one look at it.'

For Avram Grant and the players, after the win at Blackburn, they were facing up to a home result that had seen the team at the top of the table move further ahead.

In addition to the loss of key players through injury, Carvalho and Cole will begin instant suspensions (the former for three games, the latter one game pending appeal) with Essien, who collected his fifth booking, out of the FA Cup game.

'It is not easy times but since the first day I was here it has not been easy with all the injured players,' acknowledged Grant.

'But this is the fact and as we did before, we will try to do our best. As long as we have a chance, we will do everything to challenge.'