James Milner turned jeers into cheers as he scored in what could be his last game for Aston Villa and gave caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald the perfect start to the new season.

The Villa midfielder started the match even though he is expected to join Manchester City this week, and his name was greeted with boos when it was read out before kick-off.

He scored Villa’s third goal after 66 minutes, after first-half efforts from Stewart Downing and Stiliyan Petrov had put the home side in control, but he barely celebrated in front of the Holte End. However, the goal was just reward for a vibrant display from Villa, who shrugged off the exit of ex-manager Martin O’Neill in style.

West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green was also jeered following his World Cup howler. Green made an uncertain start, too, as Villa applied early pressure and he was forced to tip the ball over the bar after an attempted punch clearance went straight up in the air. Villa forced three corners in as many minutes and almost took the lead when Richard Dunne beat Green to Downing’s cross but the powerful header flew over the bar.

West Ham’s defence fell asleep after the debutant Winston Reid conceded a free-kick and Downing was allowed time and space to stand up a cross for John Carew, who planted his header just wide. West Ham’s defending was comically bad at times and Carew should have put Villa ahead when he latched onto a dreadful back-pass from James Tomkins.

Carew’s poor first touch gave Green time to race off his line but his deflection crashed off Tomkins and on to the post before West Ham could clear.

A Villa goal seemed inevitable and it duly came after 15 minutes. Green parried Ashley Young’s fierce cross out to Marc Albrighton, who volleyed the rebound goalwards and forced the West Ham keeper into a diving save. But Green could only push the ball to Downing who scored from the six-yard line.

Young almost doubled Villa’s advantage when he escaped the West Ham defence but Green produced an excellent finger-tip save to push his shot over the bar. Reid was struggling on his Premier League debut and was even penalised for a foul throw as West Ham failed to relieve the almost constant pressure. Carlton Cole made one powerful run into the Villa box but he had no-one in support and his shot was dragged across the face of goal.

Villa continued to dominate and they went further ahead five minutes before the break. Albrighton got the better of Herita Ilunga before pulling the ball back to Young, who picked out Stiliyan Petrov’s driving run into the box and the Bulgarian headed home. Villa’s keeper Brad Friedel was called into serious action only once in the half and he was equal to Luis Boa Morte’s shot after the former Portugal international had made space inside the box.

The West Ham manager Avram Grant switched West Ham’s formation to 4-4-2 at the interval and sent on Barrera and Piquionne for Radoslav Kovac and Boa Morte, who had looked off the pace. Barrera’s first real contribution was to concede a free-kick, which Downing curled towards the top corner and Green was relieved to see it dip just over the bar.

The thunder and lightning that cracked overhead seemed to spark West Ham into action and Tomkins rose well to meet Mark Noble’s cross but his header back across the face of goal flew wide of Friedel’s right-hand post. Villa wrapped up the game through Milner soon after following another bustling run from Albrighton. The 20-year-old forced his way past Tomkins and pulled it back to Milner, who lashed a first-time shot past Green.

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How the players rated

Aston Villa 4-4-2

Brad Friedel – 5

It was coming up to half-time when he was first tested. Although there was little he could do to prevent the goals, he will be irked by the scoreline considering he was scarcely under siege until the very end.

Carlos Cuellar – 6

Solid and assured. Given Malouda was recently annointed as the best in the Premiership on current form, but against the no-nonsense Spaniard, he was well smothered until two minutes from time.

James Collins – 6

His partnership with Dunne has been so important to Villa this term and his wholehearted efforts, although sometimes a little rash, helped to make life difficult for Chelsea until the result was assured.

Richard Dunne – 6

His competitive streak and organisation helped give a strong base from which to work. Somewhat cruelly, he denied Drogba with heroics moments before a weak clearance led to Chelsea’s opener.

Stephen Warnock – 7

A compliment that not a lot came down his flank from Chelsea. Had the presence of mind to drift centrally to throw himself into a superb block to charge down Drogba.

Ashley Young – 6

Inconsistent in his deliveries, but eager to keep plugging away trying to make inroads. Enjoyed more space in the second half, and one surge forced Cech to parry and kept the pressure on.

James Milner – 7

Began with the wrong boots for the pitch, and after a couple of slips and a change of footwear fizzed a shot fractionally wide. Relentlessly busy, and Chelsea could never quite relax with him buzzing around.

Stiliyan Petrov – 7

Scampered across midfield in a positive opening spell for Villa. His presence and combative edge ensured Chelsea were not able to command midfield in their usual manner.

Stewart Downing – 6

Had to work hard to strike the right balance between pushing on whilst staying mindful of the threat of Zhirkov. Responsible, if not eye-catching, performance.

John Carew – 7

Commanding in the air, as expected. He went agonisingly close just after half-time when he connected to an inswinging corner. Caused plenty of discomfort, but not enough came of it.

Gabriel Agbonlahor – 7

Mobile, powerful, impressive. Worried Chelsea early on with his acceleration. Ought to have won a 15th minute penalty when impeded by Mikel. In front of Fabio Capello, he faded, however.

SUBSTITUTES

Heskey (replaced Carew 81) 5.

Subs not used Guzan, L Young, Beye, Sidwell, Delph, Delfouenso

Chelsea 4-1-4-1

Petr Cech – 6

Misread Downing’s dangerous cross, which was not his most convincing moment as Carew waited to pounce. For all Villa’s promise and possession, though, they did not worry Chelsea’s keeper enough. Largely untroubled.

Paulo Ferreira – 6

Anxious in possession, a couple of mistakes gave Villa encouragement to assert themselves. He has filled in competently over the past few weeks but he showed some sketchy moments.

John Terry – 6

A subtle flick proved crucial as Carew lurked in the box. A relaxed defensive display, and got an unlikely assist when his shot, which was going wide, was turned in by Drogba. Booked for a nasty lunge on Milner.

Alex – 5

The centre-back struggled to challenge Carew in the aerial battles and never had much chance in a race with Agbonlahor, he looked ragged at times.

Yuri Zhirkov – 6

Villa were so unnerved by his attacking raids last time out he won two penalties, but here he was pegged back much more that he would like.

Mikel John Obi – 6

A lucky boy that Howard Webb waved away Villa’s penalty claim when he obstructed Agbonlahor. The game’s most sensitive turning point went his way, and from then he broke up play with his usual bite. Booked.

Joe Cole – 7

Dinked into space to take the first shot of the game, and slipped in another to keep Friedel on his toes. A drifting role saw him pop up all over the place, until he was substituted.

Frank Lampard – 7

So potent during the 7-1 win, he was compelled to play a more disciplined game today. At times he was an auxilliary screening midfielder alongside Mikel. Advanced to pick out the third in stoppage time.

Deco – 6

Kept moves ticking over with his crisp passing. The Brazilian excels at the simple things, but Chelsea required more invention from midfield. Booked for hooking a leg out at Petrov, and made way for Ballack.

Florent Malouda – 7

A subdued outing, and Villa were by no stretch as tormented by him as last time out. That did not stop him from leaving his imprint on the game. A late dash and steer of the left boot ended the contest.

Didier Drogba – 8

A virtual spectator during the opening exchanges, Ancelotti’s big pick up front began to gnaw away at Villa just before the interval. The threat grew and his goal, on one of his favourite grounds, felt inevitable.

SUBSTITUTES

Kalou (replaced J Cole 64) 6; Ballack (replaced Deco 76) 7; Anelka (replaced Drogba 80) 6. Subs not used Hilário, Ivanovic, Belletti, Sturridge, Anelka

FA CupAston VillaChelseaAmy Lawrenceguardian.co.uk