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Diego Costa was rested for the League Cup tie but returned with a goal and assist

Chelsea remain three points clear at the top

Costa returns to score his eighth this season

Villa concede their first away goals of 2014-15

Diego Costa's outstanding start to his career at Chelsea continued as he grabbed his eighth goal to help the leaders to victory against Aston Villa.

The Spain striker then created another as Jose Mourinho's side secured their fifth win of the season.

Oscar was first on the scoresheet when he tapped in after Willian's shot was saved by Brad Guzan.

Costa added a second with a header before his jinking run and shot led to Willian's goal from close range.

Ex-Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit on Match of the Day "The difference with Chelsea this season is the work they do in getting the ball back. The first goal was a great goal and I love the second goal - they still find spaces. And when the opposition is going forward, they also have the possibility of going for a counter-attack. This is the Chelsea I love to see. It's a Chelsea that's hard to beat."

Although the scoreline suggests it was a stroll for Chelsea, for long periods the attack had been suppressed by a disciplined Villa defence.

Nevertheless, even against a stingy backline, the Blues added another three goals to this season's tally to remain the league's leading scorers with 19 in six matches.

Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa: Mourinho hails 'huge' Diego Costa impact

The win also means Mourinho's team are one of four unbeaten sides across all the four divisions with 16 points from a possible 18.

They took a while to insert their dominance against Villa, so would have been grateful for the breakthrough in the seventh minute.

Jose Mourinho's (right) team have yet to lose in eight matches in all competitions this season

On that occasion, full-back Branislav Ivanovic slipped a pass down the left into the path of Willian, whose initial shot was saved by American Guzan. However, the ball returned to the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder who found Oscar, with the 23-year-old adding the final touch from close range.

Up until the second goal, Villa had kept up with Chelsea's attack and restricted them for space. Costa, in particular, looked a frustrated figure in attack.

Doubts still surround whether he has fully recovered from a hamstring injury, although he showed how effective he can be with careful management.

Lambert upbeat despite loss

He should have scored in the first half, when he headed Willian's brilliant delivery straight at Guzan. However, he beat the Villa keeper with a similar effort just before the hour mark.

With his tail up, Costa appeared to move with more purpose and a dazzling run in the area led to the third.

Cesc Fabregas, who had a quiet game playing in a deeper midfield position, delivered a sumptuous cross-field pass for his Spain team-mate.

The former Atletico Madrid striker confused Philippe Senderos with his footwork before firing a low shot that was saved by Guzan, but then poked in by Willian.

Costa was brought off to a standing ovation. He is already proving to be an integral figure in Chelsea's title challenge.

Villa, whose best chance came in the first half when Aly Cissokho hooked wide, face another stiff test next week - at home to Manchester City.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert:

"We were well in that game. I couldn't fault my own team. We gave it a right good go.

"When you come to places like this, when you get a chance, you've got to score.

"With Nathan's [Baker] header, Fabian's [Delph] couple of shots, [Aly] Cissokho at the back post, you've got to score.

"If you get beat, you've got to leave here with your confidence intact, which we certainly are.

"Performance-wise, other than trying to get a goal, I couldn't ask for any more."

Actors David Walliams (left) and Samuel L Jackson (right) take their places for Saturday match

Villa had suffered only one league defeat coming to Stamford Bridge

Oscar began the scoring in the first half at Stamford Bridge

Diego Costa scored the second before Willian, who helped set up the first, taps in the third for Chelsea