Chelsea's faltering hopes of catching leaders Arsenal have suffered a severe setback after a 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa in the premier league.

Their lacklustre performance leaves Chelsea seven points adrift of Arsenal, who have 78 points from 32 matches and a game in hand on their London rivals, who have just five matches left.

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri had already conceded that Arsenal would win the championship after his team could only manage a goalless draw against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

But any hopes that the west London side could narrow the gap to four points disappeared as goals from Darius Vassell, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Lee Hendrie gave Villa victory after Chelsea had taken a first-half lead through Hernan Crespo.

"We lost the battle. We wanted to play (well) but it was not possible," Ranieri told Sky Sports.

"In the second half they played some good football, they surprised us twice and then it was very hard to come back.

"When your opponent plays better than you, you can only say 'well done'," he said.

LIVERPOOL SLUMP

Villa improved their chances of European football next season as they moved within a point of fourth-placed Liverpool, who slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Charlton Athletic, and Newcastle United, who drew 0-0 at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

Charlton's win came courtesy of a Shaun Bartlett goal just after the hour mark to secure their first victory at Anfield since 1954 as they moved up two places to seventh.

Portsmouth moved three points clear of the drop zone with a 3-1 win at home to 10-man Birmingham City who lost keeper Maik Taylor for a handball outside the area just before the break.

Blackburn Rovers ended a run of three defeats and slightly eased their relegation fears in a 4-3 win at Fulham as Jon Stead scored a vital 75th-minute goal to secure all three points.

Manchester City are level with Rovers and Portsmouth on 34 points after a 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur. Nicolas Anelka's 15th league goal of the season was answered by Jermain Defoe.

Wolverhampton Wanderers lost 2-1 at home to Bolton whose striker Kevin Davies struck a late winner to leave the bottom club six points from the safety zone with five games left.

CHELSEA BLUES

Chelsea took the lead in the 11th minute when Crespo tapped the ball into an empty net after strike partner Adrian Mutu had headed the ball against the near post.

Villa were level six minutes before the break through a Vassell penalty after Chelsea full back Mario Melchiot had clattered into Gareth Barry on the left edge of the area.

German midfielder Hitzlsperger put Villa 2-1 ahead when he struck a left foot cross shot into the far corner of Marco Ambrosio's goal from 22 metres.

Peter Crouch helped set up their third goal when he nodded a long throw from Jlloyd Samuel into the path of Hendrie whose shot on the turn from eight metres gave Ambrosio no chance.

Crespo got an injury-time consolation for Chelsea but by then the London side had already accepted defeat.

On Tuesday, Leeds United host Everton, while third-placed Manchester United welcome Leicester City. Leeds are three points adrift of the safety zone on 31 points while Leicester have 28.