Sport 18-12-2003 Angel Knocks Out Millionaires who: Chelsea what: Lose 2-1 to Aston Villa in Carling Cup quarter-final where: Villa Park, BIRMINGHAM when: Last night snippet: "Two defeats in succession may not constitute a crisis at most clubs, but then Chelsea, having spent £111 million on players since the summer, are not most clubs," says The Times. "Beaten by Bolton Wanderers in the Barclaycard Premiership on Saturday, Claudio Ranieri’s side lost 2-1 away to Aston Villa last night to surrender a place in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup." "Chelsea`s first-half performance, in particular, was poor," writes Jon Brodkin in The Guardian, "and Ranieri`s selection and formation did not seem to help. The team improved when Frank Lampard came on at half-time and when Hernan Crespo was introduced to partner Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, a 3-4-2-1 system becoming a more traditional 4-4-2." Juan Pablo Angel scored "the sweetest of strikes" in the 16th minute, says The Telegraph`s Henry Winter, and then set up the 78th minute winner for Gavin McCann "after the excellent Joe Cole had briefly brought Chelsea level". "All credit to the Villans," says The Sun`s Charlie Wyett. "They showed real character and, after a generally poor season, have now won four matches in five." The answer to Chelsea`s slump? Purchasing Ruud van Nistelrooy from Manchester United, of course. The Scotsman`s Alan Robson reports that Russian oil billionaire Roman Abramovich would be prepared to pay a "world-record £60million" of van Nistelrooy were put on the transfer market. "We would probably pay that," says acting chief executive Paul Smith. "It`s not about the fee but about getting good value. We want the right quality and the right value." In the other Carling Cup quarter-final last night, Tottenham and Middlesbrough were all square at 1-1 after 90 minutes; Boro went on to win 5-4 on penalties. They will go on to play Arsenal in a semi-final tie over two legs next month; Aston Villa will play Bolton. The final is scheduled for February 29th 2004. [... more]

What The Papers Say is delivered to thousands of readers every morning by web, WAP and email. Sign up today!