Aston Villa vs Chelsea preview
Posted on | January 2, 2007 | 1 Comment
Injury hit Chelsea will look to cut Manchester United’s lead at the top of the Premiership to four points when they visit Villa Park to take on Aston Villa on Tuesday.
The Blues dropped points against Fulham when Carlos Bocanegra rescued the visitors. However their defence has been shaky, having conceded 8 in the last four games. John Terry is still out, but Khalid Boulahrouz returns after missing the London derby due to suspension.Michael Ballack is banned for this game. Goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini are still unavailable, which means Henrique Hilario remains in goal.Joe Cole and Arjen Robben are also on the injury list. Didier Drogba has been amazing this season and the Blues will rely a lot on him. Salomon Kalou is expected to provide pace on the wing and Shaun Wright Philips may be given a game. Essien and Lampard will have do lot of work in the middle of the park. Cole, Carvalho and Geremi complete the back quartet with Boulahrouz. The Blues have never won at Villa Park since 1999 though.
Aston Villa, after an impressive start to the season, have returned to mid table obscurity. Bryan Hughes got Alan Pardew his first win as Charlton manager on Saturday with a late goal. That game saw Villa skipper Gareth Barry sent off, and so he will miss this game.Stilian Petrov was subbed at the Valley and could miss out due to hamstring problems. Villa have been awful at home of late, and have lost their last three, and haven’t won a Premiership game since November 5.
This game is a toughie to predict. Villa fans will say that if there is a time to beat Chelsea this season, there is not better time than now.Villa were hammered 4-0 in the Carling cup by Chelsea and drew against the Blues at Stamford Bridge. I think it will be a draw if Villa give their 100%. However, the Chelsea players will have a point to prove and you could say that they are favourites. I’ll stick my head out for a 1-1 draw.
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January 3rd, 2007 @ 11:48 AM
Anyone believed the nerve of Mourinho to actually say Manchester United let slip a chance to distance themselves from Chelsea and that 6 points is no problem at all? I think someone forgot to tell him that THEY missed the chance to cut the lead by 4 points when THEY themselves only managed a draw?
Mourinho also forgot that traditionally Man Utd plays better in the 2nd half of the season, so he can whine all he want about his star studded injuries.