Chelsea 1, Aston Villa 0

Robert Millward

Sunday, May 21, 2000 | 10:43 a.m.

WEMBLEY, England - Roberto Di Matteo led Chelsea to an historic FA Cup victory, 1-0 over Aston Villa, and into next season's UEFA Cup on Saturday in the last final to be played at Wembley Stadium.

Di Matteo, who scored Chelsea's first goal after 42 seconds of its 1997 triumph over Middlesbrough, had to wait until the 72nd minute this time. He fired in from close range after Villa goalkeeper David James failed to hold Gianfranco Zola's free kick.

"I took my eye off it. It was a silly mistake," said James, whose blunder may have cost him a place on England's European Championship squad.

Di Matteo didn't mind. But he was sad that his goal was the last at the grand arena.

"It's such a shame they're going to knock Wembley down," the Italian said. "I'm so sad about it."

First used for the FA Cup final in 1923, Wembley will be demolished in October to make way for a brand new stadium on the same site. That stadium will be the centerpiece of England's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup.

FIFA's executive committee is to vote on July 5-6 and England faces opposition from Germany, Brazil, South Africa and Morocco.

Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli saluted his team for ending the season with a title.

"It has been a long season of ups and downs, but this is the best way to finish it," he said. "I am very pleased for everybody, because we have put so much effort in this season, and this is a great reward."