Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari hailed his side's display after they outplayed Aston Villa in a comprehensive 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge which keeps them top of the league.

The Blues extended their undefeated home record to 86 games thanks to first-half strikes from Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka.

But it could have been more as Chelsea dominated in the first-half, with Scolari hailing his side's play, particularly in the first 45 minutes.

He believed it was his side's best performance of the season given several players were out and he also thought it was important to notch up three points to keep them top of the league.

"It's a big game - it is three points," he told Sky Sports, adding he wants his team to win more games at home.

"We need to win more games at home, because we have played four games at home and won only won two," he said, adding he thought too many home draws had cost the Blues last season.

Final result

"There were many, many draws at home and the final result - two points behind Manchester.

"This is important."

Joe Cole and Nicola Anelka went off with injuries during the game but Scolari believes the pair will soon recover and be able to play in their international teams' forthcoming fixtures.

The former Portugal boss is now looking forward to having three days off with his family during the international break.

"These three days is rest for all Chelsea - not only for me - for all Chelsea, I don't want to talk about football," he said.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari hailed his side's display after they outplayed Aston Villa in a comprehensive 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge which keeps them top of the league.

The Blues extended their undefeated home record to 86 games thanks to first-half strikes from Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka.

But it could have been more as Chelsea dominated in the first-half, with Scolari hailing his side's play, particularly in the first 45 minutes.

He believed it was his side's best performance of the season given several players were out and he also thought it was important to notch up three points to keep them top of the league.

"It's a big game - it is three points," he told Sky Sports, adding he wants his team to win more games at home.

"We need to win more games at home, because we have played four games at home and won only won two," he said, adding he thought too many home draws had cost the Blues last season.

Final result

"There were many, many draws at home and the final result - two points behind Manchester.

"This is important."

Joe Cole and Nicola Anelka went off with injuries during the game but Scolari believes the pair will soon recover and be able to play in their international teams' forthcoming fixtures.

The former Portugal boss is now looking forward to having three days off with his family during the international break.

"These three days is rest for all Chelsea - not only for me - for all Chelsea, I don't want to talk about football," he said.

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu has no intention of paying the heavy fine handed down to him by Fifa. The Romania international has been ordered to pay 17million euros (£13.4m) to former employers Chelsea as a result of a cancelled contract at Stamford Bridge. The Blues terminated Mutu's deal in October 2004 following a failed drugs test and an admission by the player that he had taken cocaine during his time at the club. He was subsequently banned from action for seven months, but immediately signed for Serie A giants Juventus upon the conclusion of that punishment. The 29-year-old then moved on to Fiorentina in 2006, rediscovering his best form with the Viola. Support He insists that he will not let the fine hanging over his head affect his game and steadfastly refuses to meet the demands of Fifa. "What has happened to me is not right and I will fight for my rights," he said. "It is pleasing to have the support of the Association of Romanian Players and the intentional syndicate for professional players (FIFPro). "I'm proud to see that we are all thinking the same thing."

Chelsea's young Slovakian midfielder Miroslav Stoch has no problems biding his time before making his first-team debut. The 18-year-old has found himself on Luiz Felipe Scolari's bench for their recent games against CFR Cluj and Portsmouth, but has yet to make an appearance. Stoch felt he had a chance of playing in either of the games, with Chelsea easily dispatching Pompey in the Carling Cup, while Scolari told the youngster not to fear making his debut in Romania. When asked if he was disappointed not to make his debut, Stoch told Pravda: "No, not disappointed. Just being part of the 18-man squad is a big thing for me. Hope "I hoped a little that I could play for a few minutes. Maybe next time. "Against Portsmouth in the Carling Cup we won 4-0 and the game was practically over after an hour. "At Cluj it seemed that the coach was preparing me to come on. He told me that I should not be afraid if I get my chance to play. "He let me warm-up for a long time and the hope that I could play seemed quite high, but the game went badly for us. "Competition is high here and a few players would have to drop out for me to play. Ahead of me is Joe Cole, Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou. "To play in this team would be a life experience for me. I hope I will not be waiting too long for that."

Salomon Kalou is hoping to become an integral part of the first-team set-up at Chelsea.

The Ivory Coast international was brought to Stamford Bridge by Jose Mourinho in 2006, but struggled to adapt to the hustle and bustle of life in England.

However, he made almost 50 appearances for the Blues under Avram Grant last season as he began to fulfil his undoubted potential.

With his confidence restored he has impressed once more during the early stages of the current campaign, admitting that he now feels ready to become a mainstay in Luiz Felipe Scolari's side.

Expectation

"My objective this season is to force my way to becoming one of Chelsea's most important players," Kalou told the Evening Standard.

"I'm going to up my work rate because I remain a team player.

"This club's expectation is to win every one of the four competitions we are in and that can only be if each one of us strives to give more than ever before.

"I want to start meeting and then exceeding the expectations which people around me at Chelsea have for my level of contribution and I want to be a key figure in providing victories."

Exciting

Kalou admits that he was star struck upon his arrival at Chelsea, with the intimidating surroundings partially responsible for his sluggish progression.

"The first time (at training) was so exciting that I took a camera with me because I wanted a picture of me with every one of my new team-mates," he added.

"This was the dream moment of my life and I did not want to wake up and find out that it was not real. Suddenly to find yourself on the pitch with (Michael) Ballack and (Didier) Drogba, well it was impossible not to feel like a timid young lad.

"The key thing to explain that overwhelming sentiment is that I never, even in my dreams, thought I'd some day be at this level and playing in this kind of company.

Surprise

"But I know enough to realise that it's not getting to the top that is important but deserving to stay there.

"That's what I'm after now. It didn't take me too long to realise that everyone treats each other like equals here and it's like a bunch of lads all heading off to school every day.

"What's more, the bigger the name here, the more humble, straightforward and helpful they are.

"John Terry is the classic example; the first time I saw him joking and larking around it came as a big surprise to me because I'd expected a different personality."

Newcastle have announced vice-president Tony Jimenez has left the club.

Jimenez was appointed vice-president (player recruitment) by owner Mike Ashley when he installed his off-the-field team under executive director (football) Dennis Wise.

Jimenez's influence was reported to be one of the reasons why Kevin Keegan decided to quit the Magpies in September.

With Ashley actively looking to sell the club, Jimenez has decided to move on to "pursue other interests".

A club statement read: "Newcastle United can today confirm that Tony Jimenez has left the club.

"Tony, who was appointed vice-president (player recruitment) in January, has made the decision in order to pursue other interests.

"Newcastle United thanks Tony for all of his hard work and efforts and wishes him every success in the future."

Blackburn chairman John Williams believes a Premier League salary cap could revolutionise football.

The Rovers supremo has backed calls for a limit to be placed on the amount clubs can spend on a total wage bill, helping to make the English top flight more competitive.

Football Association chairman Lord Triesman has announced that steps must be taken to curb the spiralling costs in the domestic game, with a wide-ranging review into football's finances set to be carried out.

Williams believes capping wages could help to restore equality, but has warned that any decision taken by the authorities must be carefully thought through before being implemented.

Merits

"I believe there are merits to bringing in a salary cap. The idea of capping to make everything equal in football really excites me, it would be like racing drivers changing cars with each other to stop the same Ferrari driver always winning," he told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"The problem with the idea of caps is when it is talked about in relation with debt and security. People say wages should be kept in relation to turnover and that would not help at all.

"If you said, for example, wages had to be 65 per cent of turnover, some of the bigger clubs' wages would actually have the capability to increase.

"People suggest capping as a financial security issue, that would make it even harder for the majority of clubs to compete in the Premier League."

Rovers currently sit towards the bottom of the Premier League's hall of shame when it comes to club debt, but are still £20million in the red.

Concept

The club also operates with a wage bill which uses 80 per cent of their annual turnover, meaning a value-related salary cap would see them fall even further behind the Premier League elite.

Williams added: "I love the concept of introducing it to increase competition though. My crusade is to increase competitiveness and not have a procession of a Premier League.

"A salary cap on equality would be the most fantastic thing and would lead to great sporting competition. But of course there are problems, football is a global game and bigger clubs say they would be disadvantaged.

"There are the practicalities of how you would do that as well. If you say players are contracted for three to four years, at what point do you bring it into action?

"Generally speaking if you flash the wage bills of all the Premier League clubs in a mirror, the league table would flash back at you. I think a balance needs to be struck, we have to retain that equality on a Saturday afternoon."

Mohamed bin Hammam has revealed that the Asian Football Confederation are willing to listen to proposals for an extra round of Premier League games.

Plans for each Premier League club to play a 39th game overseas were widely opposed last season.

The idea would have seen matches played in cities around the world including many in Asia.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore announced earlier this week that he was still exploring the possibility of taking the English game global.

AFC president Bin Hammam was not happy with the initial plans but he would be prepared to reconsider if the Premier League made some alterations.

Bin Hammam has now met with Scudamore in London to discuss how the Premier League can help to improve and develop football in Asia.

"Whatever plans the Premier League may or may not have, the AFC is prepared to listen to advice and support," Bin Hammam told reporters.

Angle

"I'm not saying I have changed my mind about (opposing) two teams playing in different territories.

"English league to be played in China, or in Qatar? A lot of people like the idea. Our (Qatar) national association liked the idea but they have not thought about it from the same angle I thought about it."

Bin Hammam added that the Premier League was offering initiatives to help close the gap between Asian and European football.

He explained: "We want them to share with us their secret of success."

Bin Hamman remains concerned that television companies in Asia are willing to spend millions on Premier League broadcast rights instead of their own leagues.

"The J-League is more important than the Premier League in Japan but that is the exception," he said.

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