Lampard's record breaking double books Chelsea a Champions League ticket as defeated Villa pay tribute to their outgoing skipper

Magic moment: Frank Lampard strikes to level matters at Stamford Bridge - and Bobby Tambling's all-time goalscoring record for the club

Frank Lampard became Chelsea's all-time top goalscorer with a second-half double that sunk Aston Villa 2-1 in a frantic match that saw two red cards.

Belgian striker Christian Benteke had given the home side the lead in the 15th minute with a 23rd goal of the season, but soiled his day when he joined Ramires of Chelsea in seeing red for picking up a second yellow card 10 minutes after the break. Both men went for dangerous play in ill-advised high boot incidents.

                      

It was Lampard's 202nd and 203rd goal for Chelsea in all competitions 12 years at the club – overtaking Bobby Tambling’s all time record for the club.

Chelsea should have moved 2-1 clear with 18 minutes left as Yacouba Sylla blocked on the line before Ashley Westwood cleared the ball after Demba Ba had flicked on a Gary Cahill effort.

Replays showed that it was over the line while there was also a hint of a handball by Nathan Baker, but the incident happened so quickly that the referee and linesman could hardly be criticised for waving play on. The good news is that the Premier League has taken a major step to curb this menace (HERE)

Chelsea are almost over the line in making sure of automatic Champions League qualification in third place in the table. They are five points clear of Arsenal and six ahead of Spurs with one league game remaining, but they have worries ahead of the Europa League final against Benfica in Amsterdam on Wednesday night.

Chelsea fans will hope it isn't Lampard last appearance for the club with his thumping finish for the equaliser giving Brad Guzan no chance in the Villa goal before he sped into the opposition box to finish off a delightful winning move by the outgoing European champions.

Chelsea conclude their season when Everton visit next Sunday.

Head and shoulders above the rest: Lampard is the all-time top Premier League midfield goalscorer

 Chelsea's top scorers

Frank Lampard 203
Bobby Tambling 202
Kerry Dixon 193
Didier Drogba 157
Roy Bentley 150

Lampard said after the game: 'It means everything, it's amazing.

'The support I've had from team-mates, you saw that at the end and I'm thankful to every one of them because they're the ones that put it on a plate for me sometimes.

'And the fans, they've been with me for a long time and were probably frustrated alongside me not getting there so I'm just delighted.'

                     

Emotional: Frank Lampard called Bobby Tambling after the match was over

Lampard added: 'Bobby Tambling is a great man, he's not been well lately but he's a great man. 

'I was pleased to level it but I didn't want to overcook that celebration out of respect for him. But to then go and break it, I was delighted.

'I've been here a long time, I lost my mum a few years ago and she was my biggest supporter so it's for her.'

Chelsea conclude their season when Everton visit next Sunday.

Despite the loss, Aston Villa players and their families went on a traditional lap of appreciation lead by their skipper Stilliyan Petrov who announced his retirement during the week (HERE ).

   

Tribute: Each Premier League team has signed a board in support of Stiliyan Petrov and the continued campaign to help fund specialist nurses and drugs trials for leukaemia patients

Players from every Premier League clubs signed boards in support of Petrov and to help raise awareness and funds in the fight against Leukemia.

                              

                             

Looking on: Petrov acknowledges the fans applause as he watches from the stands

The Bulgarian midfielder has not played since March 2012, when he was diagnosed with the disease, and announced his retirement earlier this week.

                  

Looking forward: Villa made a special programme to their skipper which also included a poster pull-out

The 33-year-old used his final programme notes to thank the club's fans for their support during his battle with acute leukemia.

His final column in the club's matchday programme, sold at today's Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea, focused on the club's future and the efforts of manager Paul Lambert this season.

But in his closing comments, Petrov made an emotional tribute to the fans - who have risen in applause in the 19th minute of each match, in reference to Petrov's shirt number.

He wrote: 'Aston Villa will always remain in my heart.

'I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given here and, to the fans, I am so grateful for the way you have supported meover the years, especially during the past 14 months or so when you have stood with me and everything I have gone through, during the 19th minute.

'This has touched me profoundly.

'To have been part of this for seven years was enough to know that I have been part of something unique and special. Up the Villa!'

Lambert picked up the theme in his own notes. The Villa’s boss has discussed the possibility of adding the former Bulgaria skipper to his backroom team after Petrov formally confirmed he had played his final game.