Aston Villa v Chelsea Pre-Match Thread

[TaxDodger]

I think there'll be goals in this. 2-2. Cuellar 23, Ireland 89. Drogba 53, 68.

[cheltenhamlion]

I am torn between a draw and a defeat but will go for us getting turned over 2-0.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Funny one this, Im a bit torn. I'll be interested to see what team we put out, We have a good home record against these but they are the best team in the country at the moment. Key players missing for them, Terry, Lampard but the quality they have to come in is good.

I'd love to see us get revenge for the semi but im going for home win

[Mister E]

Difficult to call; a draw of some sort.

[Legion]

I'd love to see us get revenge for the semi but im going for home win

That's us.

[The Situation]

Chelsea are a very good team... but we do well against them at home winning 2 of the last 3 home matches against them. I would really like to beat the chavs again, but I won't be too disappointed if we can only manage a draw.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I'd love to see us get revenge for the semi but im going for home win

That's us.

I meant to say So im going for a home win.

Backing us just to clarify

[Matt Collins]

We may see some changes for this game, with doubts over AY, Albrighton, Gabby and possibly Ivanhoe.

I reckon Ireland, Bannan, Gabby as a wide option would be the options in that order. Could we play Bannan and Downing wide, and alternating? If Ged was thinking of playing Bannan at spurs, I presume it would have been Albrighton he would have come in for, so I guess that was his thinking?

I'd be tempted to bring in Ireland for Albrighton in any case. Could see Albrighton struggling a bit against Cole, and Ireland may achieve more and help us keep the ball.

[The Situation]

If Ashley Young doesn't play I can't see us winning unfortunately; Ash always plays really well against Roman's boys.

[brontebilly]

I'm hopeful of getting a result here - Chelsea will be missing quite a few - Lampard, Terry, Benayoun, Kalou, Alex are all expected to be out, whether than transpires is another thing. I think the Chelsea squad is quite thin this season and a centre half partnership of Bruma and Ivanovic with Paulo Ferreira right back isnt great. Hopefully Gabby and Heskey will be back from their niggles.

We have a big decision at centre half, both Dunne and Collins played two games each midweek. I saw both of Dunne's games, not yet back to his best, still struggling for pace when isolated one on one but was pretty solid in Slovakia. I would bring Cuellar in regardless. Maybe with Dunne next to him. Our full backs were destroyed against Chelsea last season but they need more protection this time out. I really would give Albrighton a break for this game. Chelsea tend to run rings around us in the centre, Petrov has had a tough enough week too, if he is totally shattered then he shouldnt play even if its only Sidwell as back up. I think we will have to go with three in there. I'm not normally a fan of Gabby right wing as he doesnt have the guile to play there but just for this game he may keep Cole occupied and that is sufficient reason for me, Downing unlucky to miss out but I think Ashley Young could have too much for Ferreira if he drifts out there.

---------------Friedel
Young, Dunne/Collins, Cuellar, Warnock
------------------Petrov/Sidwell---------------------
------Reo Coker------------------Ireland-----------
Gabby------------------------------------A Young
---------------------Heskey-----------------------

[PaulTheVillan]

...............Friedel
Young Collins Cuellar Warnock
......NRC Ireland Petrov
Young.......................Downing
...............Heskey

[Mr Diggles]

If Ashley Young doesn't play I can't see us winning unfortunately; Ash always plays really well against Roman's boys.

I must have missed the 7-1 defeat then. And the FA Cup semi which he didn't show up for.

[BILL DE VALL]

Chelski's defence will be playing "getting to know you-getting to know all about you"
so hopefully we can cause them problems

If we can get it wide and cross it-make them turn and face their own goal a bit,their lack of togetherness should be exposed.

I hope

[eamonn]

Luke Young has to get better protection than he did last March at Stamford Bridge. I'd be hesitant to put Albrighton there for that reason as Chelsea will target our right side as being our weakest link - Marc's inexperience and Young's possible jitters about playing Chelsea again.

[richard moore]

My most dreaded game of the season because of the number of gloryhunting chavs I know down here

I reckon 1-1 though I would love us to win, even if just in memory to a couple of their obnoxious fans I had a run in with on the tube on the way back from Wembley into London last season. Father and son who summed the lack of class that is Chelsea absolutely to a tee...