SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 9 hrs 36 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
AV
Premier League
Feb 7, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
CL

1-2

Okore (48')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Hazard (8'), Ivanovic (66')

Preview: Aston Villa vs. Chelsea

:Headline: Preview: Aston Villa vs. Chelsea: ID:203727: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Chelsea's Premier League trip to Aston Villa, who face the title favourites having not scored in over 600 minutes of top-flight football.

Aston Villa will do well to end their miserable run of form when they host Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues maintained their five-point advantage at the top of the table by holding closest rivals Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

While Jose Mourinho's side were accused of lacking the ambition to win the game, the result puts them in command of the title race with 15 games left in the season.

Chelsea are not in top gear at present, though, having failed to win any of their last four matches in all competitions in 90 minutes - they needed extra time to beat Liverpool in the Capital One Cup semi-finals.

This could be described as a blip considering Chelsea's high standards, but it is nothing compared to how their opponents have been suffering lately, with Villa winless in eight league games and down to 16th.

A 5-0 drubbing at Arsenal was a new low for Paul Lambert's men, and it meant that there have been 612 minutes since they netted the last of their 11 top-flight goals this season - Chelsea have as many in their last five games.

Having said that, the Scot is unlikely to make major changes to the side which was thrashed at the Emirates Stadium. Ashley Westwood and Aly Cissokho could return at the expense of Carlos Sanchez and Kieran Richardson.

Ron Vlaar will be back in the matchday squad, but is unlikely to start after a knee injury. The Dutch international defender has not played since New Year's Day and keeping him fit could be key to Villa's survival hopes.

Christian Benteke, Andreas Weimann and Gabriel Agbonlahor have all been guilty of profligacy, with the latter paying for it with his place in the team, but Carles Gil has looked bright since arriving from Valencia and may be the catalyst for improvement in attacking areas.

In contrast, the division's top scorers Chelsea have such a luxury of goal getters that they can afford to lose top marksman Diego Costa, who has six more goals than the whole Villa squad combined, to suspension and still be full of firepower.

Remy should again get the nod ahead of Didier Drogba in Costa's absence. The main supplier of Chelsea's goals, Cesc Fabregas, may not be risked due to a muscle strain and so Ramires, who has been sent off on his last two visits to Villa Park, should continue in midfield.

Juan Cuadrado has been tipped to shine in the Premier League following his £26.1m deadline-day move from Fiorentina, but will likely have to start life in England on the bench, with any of Chelsea's attacking midfield three hard to shift - just ask Andre Schurrle.

Former Villa defender Gary Cahill will likely be with him among the substitutes due to Kurt Zouma's impressive emergence. Cesar Azpilicueta will also feature in defence, with Filipe Luis's calf injury ruling him out.

The hosts beat Mourinho's men 1-0 in the Midlands last season, but lost September's reverse fixture 3-0.

Villa:

Form in Premier League: LDDLLL
Form in all competitions: DWLLWL

Possible starting lineup: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Clark, Cissokho; Westwood, Cleverley, Delph; Gil, Weimann, Benteke

Chelsea:

Form in Premier League: WDLWWD
Form in all competitions: WWDLDD

Possible starting lineup: Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Ramires; Hazard, Oscar, Willian; Remy

Sports Mole says: 0-3


amp_article__203727 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2015-02-06 11:04:38:
html db last update - 2021-02-14 04:46:55 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .