Drogba 68

                                                                                                          Malouda 89

                                                                                                          Lampard 90 + 5  

Holders Chelsea will defend their title at this year’s Wembley FA Cup Final, their third in four years, after a more difficult semi-final victory than the scoreline suggests.

All three Chelsea goals came in the final quarter, the inevitable Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard on the scoresheet either side of the in-form Florent Malouda.

And Aston Villa were again bemoaning ill-fortune with Wembley refereeing decisions.

On top of the perceived injustices of their Carling Cup final defeat they were denied a penalty when Jon Mikel Obi fouled Gabriel Agbonlahoor, and Chelsea captain John Terry escaping dismissal after a “horror” tackle on James Milner.

There was little between the sides in a dull first half. But Villa had the edge and should have had their penalty moments after James Milner shot wide from distance.

Chelsea improved after half-time and finally took the lead on 68 minutes when Drogba diverted home Terry’s misdirected shot from a half-cleared corner.

Terry’s foul on Milner followed shortly afterwards. And Aston Villa’s sense of injustice was heightened in the closing stages.

Malouda made it 2-0 with a close-range finish from substitute Michael Ballack’s cross.

And Lampard rounded matters off deep into stoppage time, converting Nicolas Anelka’s pass.