Chelsea
Chelsea vs Aston Villa Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man + Prediction
Chelsea take on Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. Here is a preview with team news, likely line-ups, key man and predicted score.
Chelsea will look to cement their place at the top of the Premier League when they take on Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues have started the season in excellent form, winning their opening four games before holding defending champions Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.
It leaves the West Londoners three points clear of second-placed Southampton at the top of the table, so Jose Mourinho will look to at least maintain that advantage with another win this weekend.
However, Villa arrive in the capital sitting third in the table after a superb start themselves, with Paul Lambert’s side winning three and drawing one of their opening four games before that run was ended with a 3-0 loss to Arsenal last Saturday.
Team news
Chelsea will continue to be without the services of midfielder Ramires with a groin injury expected to keep the Brazilian out until after the international break.
Mourinho has confirmed that star striker Diego Costa will return to the starting line-up after being rested in midweek as he continues to nurse a niggling hamstring problem.
Otherwise, the Portuguese coach has no other injury concerns to deal with and is expected to recall a number of first team regulars after making wholesale changes for the midweek win over Bolton.
Villa are also edging closer to having a fully-fit squad with a number of players now recovered from a virus that swept the squad last weekend.
However, skipper Ron Vlaar (calf) and striker Christian Benteke (Achilles) remain out, and the duo join long-term injury victim Libor Kozak on the sidelines.
Likely Line-Ups
Key Man
Cesc Fabregas: The Spaniard has started life at Stamford Bridge in sensational form and his partnership with Diego Costa is going to be crucial to this match. Villa must find a way of stopping the supply line from Fabregas.
Predicted Score
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa: The visitors started the season in fine form but were derailed by Arsenal last week and with Chelsea scoring a staggering 27 goals in their last seven league home games against them, we can see another three points for Mourinho tomorrow.
What team would you like to see start and whats your predicted score for the game?
deji ahmed Chelseafcfan
September 26, 2014 at 9:21 pm
Chelsea we are going to win 3-0
goodluck abaecheta obi
September 26, 2014 at 9:48 pm
l’m a wonderful chelsea fan. i predict CHELSEA 4 – 0 ASTON V.
mathew wise
September 26, 2014 at 10:27 pm
Chelsea will win 3-1
timi
September 26, 2014 at 11:05 pm
chelsea 4 vs 1 astovilla…….hazard,costa,cahil, ivanovic,nd agbolahan
Temmydee
September 27, 2014 at 4:49 am
I see Chelsea winning d match by Gods grace….up blues
Alabanizulikabastro
September 27, 2014 at 6:27 am
Chelsea will the match by 4win by 1
ALIKO SAHABI
September 27, 2014 at 7:23 am
Chelsea wil going to win 4 2
Popoola Idrees Temmy
September 27, 2014 at 7:33 am
Chelsea Is Going To Win Aston Villa3-0
real timo
September 27, 2014 at 8:39 am
chesy 6 villa 2. No tym 2 waste. Up da bluuuz
ojo olumide samuel
September 27, 2014 at 8:41 am
Chelsea will win d match chelsea 3-1 aston villa
puzzle
September 27, 2014 at 9:18 am
Chelsea can’t and won’t fail me 2day__Chelsea till technology download food! Up blues