By SHAUN CUSTIS
CHELSEA fans sung: “Sign him up, sign him up.”
Needless to say it was not interim boss Rafa Benitez the supporters want owner Roman Abramovich to keep.
Spaniard Benitez will have to win 8-0 every week until his contract runs out at the end of the season to have the remotest chance of the faithful changing their minds about his presence.
But, as skipper Frank Lampard left the pitch on the hour having smashed in a stunning fourth from 25 yards, the Shed End made it crystal clear how much they want the board to keep him.
The veteran’s contract is up in June and there is no sign of a new one. Yet, even at the age of 34, he is still doing the business.
On his 500th Premier League start, Lampard was the fulcrum of a stunning victory. His goal was his 190th for Chelsea, his 130th in the top flight and his 100th in the capital.
He continues to break records.
What a servant Lampard has been at Stamford Bridge — and what an example to the young English players of today.
There is barely enough room in this report to describe the goals yesterday, let alone all the other chances Chelsea had.
It could have been the Premier League’s first scoreline in double figures.
It was surprising in that Villa arrived on a run of six games without defeat. They had notched up a superb 3-1 win at Liverpool in their last game.
It was Fernando Torres, rejuvenated under Benitez, who got the first within three minutes and it was quite a goal.
Full-back Cesar Azpilicueta’s measured cross found the striker and his header from 16 yards was an absolute bullet and Brad Guzan had no chance. Benitez has given Torres fresh confidence, although do not expect the Blues fans to dish out any credit.
As usual, 16 minutes in, they were acclaiming former boss Roberto Di Matteo — the man who won them the Champions League last season.
Benitez said during the week that he thought he was winning over the fans but it does not sound like it.
On 29 minutes David Luiz, enjoying life in midfield, sent a free-kick in the Cristiano Ronaldo mode fizzing beyond the despairing Guzan.
There was a third before half-time when former Villa man Gary Cahill turned and shot. Guzan pushed it away but Branislav Ivanovic followed up with a headed goal.
Villa were being pulled here, there and everywhere and showed no sign of getting back into it, while striker Christian Benteke must have been offside at least six times.
Guzan was a busy boy and made a stunning save to deny Juan Mata. He also denied Victor Moses with his outstretched leg as the wave kept on coming after the break.
But the USA international could not keep performing miracles and Lampard’s belter beat him.
Off went Lamps, on came Ramires and there was no sign of Chelsea putting their foot on the ball and settling.
There was a brief moment for Villa as Andreas Weimann’s shot struck Petr Cech and hit the bar but it was not long before Blues had a fifth.
Ramires converted through Guzan’s legs having been put in by fellow sub Lucas Piazon. The young Brazilian Piazon was a real handful and when he found countryman Oscar, Chris Herd fouled and a penalty was given.
Oscar took it and rattled his shot high into the net.
You could tell it was not going to be the end of the scoring.
Chelsea were loving it and Villa were out on their feet.
Eden Hazard exchanged passes with Piazon and cracked in a screamer to make it seven.
In doing so Chelsea had set a new Premier League mark of having seven different scorers.
Piazon was fouled by Clark for another penalty but the lad blotted his copybook when the spot-kick was saved by Guzan.
No matter, there was still time for one more as Ramires side-footed into the top corner from 12 yards in added time.
Chelsea are 11 points behind leaders United with a game in hand and do not consider themselves out of the title race.
Imagine if Rafa pulled that off.
