
Chelsea get back to Premier League action on Sunday as they welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues head into the game after seeing off Leeds United 5-1 in the quarter final of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday which came just days after missing out on the World Club Cup in Japan following a 1-0 loss to Corinthians on Sunday.
Rafa Benitez will be keen to get Chelsea’s Premier League campaign back on track after only winning one of their last seven league outings, so will need to find some form if they are to retain their place in the top-four.
Villa arrive at the Bridge off the back of last weeks shock 3-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield, proving they are more than capable of causing an upset this weekend. Paul Lambert endured a tough start to life at Villa Park but his youngsters have found some form of late and are now unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions.
Team News
Chelsea are able to welcome back defender Gary Cahill who has served his one-match ban after being sent off against Corinthians last weekend, but Benitez may opt to stick with Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz at the heart of his defence.
Captain John Terry is still on the sidelines with a knee injury while John Obi Mikel continues to serve his three-match ban. Ramires returns after serving his own ban but Daniel Sturridge continues to miss out due to a hamstring strain.
Villa have midfielder Stephen Ireland back after he missed last weeks win over Liverpool through illness. Captain Ron Vlaar and striker Gabriel Agbonlahor are both likely to miss out while Darren Bent is definitely missing with a hamstring problem.
Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score
Despite Villa’s impressive win last weekend, they’ve been poor for much of the season and have a disappointing record at Stamford Bridge – winning just once in their last 10 visits. Rafa Benitez has an excellent record against the Villains and i can see him continuing that this Sunday. Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa.
What would your line up be and what’s your score prediction for the game? Get involved in the comments section below.
Victor emue
December 22, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Chelsea 3 vs 0 aston villa
Kings Uzoma
December 22, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Chelsea 3 Aston Villa 1
ajewole joseph
December 22, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Chelsea 4 vs a.Villa 0 day’s d scores, up blues
Destiny Ehi
December 22, 2012 at 8:34 pm
(Keepa) no 1 (Definder)Gary,luiz,branovin, cole,(mifinder) azen,mosese, oscar,remirise, (striker) mata, torres
Destiny Ehi
December 22, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Chelsea 2 aston villa 1
Paul peter agbatse
December 22, 2012 at 8:55 pm
Just can’t wait for chelsea to see off Aston Villa: Chelsea 3 vs Villa 1
Cfcclw12
December 22, 2012 at 9:03 pm
We seem to struggle against villa so I think it’ll be tight 2-1
Onos kelly frm oginibo
December 22, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Chelsea go 4 win
Isaac
December 22, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Chelsea will aston villa 5-0
Isaac
December 22, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Chelsea will trash aston villa 5-0
Victor emue
December 22, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Pls mr Abramovich try all ur best and get us fellaini,willian and falcao to complete de squard.
bilel torres
December 22, 2012 at 11:28 pm
I THINK THAT WE NEDD MARCO MARIN TOMMOROW BECAUSE HE ‘s a technical player and he can help torres and hazard so i wish chelsea bit villa and i wish see gol from hazard and torres and gud kuck chelsea
Abass Akeem Ibadan Nigeria
December 23, 2012 at 5:08 am
Abrahamovic, Mouriho is leaving madrid. We need his intervention in Chelsea. Please Abrahamovic you can do it.
Abass Akeem Ibadan Nigeria
December 23, 2012 at 5:14 am
Formation 4231. Cezh, Cole, Luiz, Ivanovic, Cesar Az, Lampard, Ramirez, Marin, Mata, Moses, Torres. Chelsea 6 – 1 Aston V.
Michael Angelo
December 23, 2012 at 5:20 am
Mouriho is leavin Madrid becos his tactis has failed woefully,every team now knows his tactis
Longe seun
December 23, 2012 at 5:28 am
Chelsea 4 : 1 A. Villa, likely line-up : cech, ivanovic, cahill, luiz, cole, ramires, lampard, moses, mata, hazard, torres. Subtitution : turnbull, azpil, marin, bertrand, oscar.
Shittu Abayomi
December 23, 2012 at 6:30 am
Chelsea go trash aston-villa by 6-0 up mata, up hazard, up oscar nd up torres
abubakar
December 23, 2012 at 6:46 am
Likely lineup azpl ivanovic cahil cole remires luiz mata oscar hazard moses chelsea 4-0 aston villa
Jimmy
December 23, 2012 at 9:17 am
Chelsea 0 Villa 1
Benteke
adeyeanca
December 23, 2012 at 10:14 am
cfc 0-0 aston villa.
Stephen justin
December 23, 2012 at 11:14 am
Formation 4,2,3,1,cech,ivan,luiz,cole,cesear,moses,oscar,mata,marin,lamp,torres