Chelsea have conceded just two goals – both away from home, at West Ham and Manchester City – and face a Villa side yet to lose at home this season. Villa have won just one game in their last four in the League, against Wolves at Molineux.
Chelsea have won just once in their last 11 Premier League visits to Villa Park and John Terry, who withdrew from England duty in midweek with a back problem, could be available while England colleague Frank Lampard, also absent on Tuesday, is set to earn a recall after a seven-match absence. But Yossi Benayoun, Alex and Salomon Kalou are missing again.
Villa test Emile Heskey and with Gabriel Agbonlahor also missing, John Carew could start. Last season these teams met three times, beginning with the home League clash where Didier Drogba gave Chelsea the lead before Richard Dunne and James Collins replied for Villa.
But in the return, at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea exacted stunning revenge by winning 7-1 with Frank Lampard scoring four. Five of Chelsea’s goals came in the second half. A third meeting took place at Wembley where the teams clashed in the FA Cup semi-final, but again Chelsea were on top, winning 3-0 with all goals coming in the final 22 minutes, from Drogba, Florent Malouda and Lampard.HEAD TO HEAD
Chelsea
Ricardo Carvalho picked up an ankle ligament injury in midweek and will be out for four weeks so Alex will partner John Terry in defense. Jose Boswingwa and Branislav Ivanovic (both knee) will both miss out so Paulo Ferreira will continue at right-back. Long-term absentees Michael Essien (knee) and Ashley Cole (ankle) are still not ready to return.
Last Starting Line-Up (v Portsmouth): Cech; Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Zhirkov; Deco, Mikel, Lampard; Sturridge, Drogba, Malouda.
Aston Villa
Gabriel Agbonlahor (toe) and Emile Heskey (Achilles) are both doubts so Fabien Delph could start in a five man midfield. James Milner and Richard Dunne are also struggling with Achilles injuries so Martin O’Neill may be forced to make some changes. Marlon Harewood has a foot injury and Nigel Reo-Coker is still struggling with an ankle problem so the pair will once again miss out.
Last Starting Line-Up (v Sunderland): Friedel; Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock; Downing, Milner, Petrov, Ashley Young; Carew, Heskey.
PREDICTION
Chelsea’s form has been under a lot of scrutiny in the last few weeks after losing to Inter Milan and Manchester City, and drawing away at Blackburn Rovers, but the Blues home record remains terrific.
Martin O’Neill’s side have not impressed in the last couple of weeks after drawing with Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers and are now looking over their shoulder at Everton in eighth place rather than a Champions League place.
Villa have looked tired in their last few games, in particular in last weekend’s draw at home to Wolves, and despite Chelsea’s recent dip in form, I think the Blues will have enough to beat Martin O’Neill’s side.
Saturday, 16 October
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Villa Park
Kick-off: 17.30 BST
TV: Live ESPN & highlights, BBC Match of the Day.
(source : guardian, goal)