Chelsea v Aston Villa Match Thread

[Fergal]

has anyone changed their opinion of GH based on that first half?

They can't have held their convictions very firmly if they have.

it is only 45 minutes, but it is a start, and it is a start in very testing circumstances - away at somewhere we traditionally get nothing, and playing against 12 men.

It is a good start but we had a good start against Manyoo, its between then and now that I am worried about.

[Toronto Villa]

I wish my Missus knickers went down as quickly as some of these Chelsea players.

oh. So you haven't heard then . . .

[Small Rodent]

A mate who lives next to Stamford Bridge amuses himself by listening to the team announcements and guessing why some players are booed. (He's not a football fan).

Today he said Ciaran Clark was booed. Any reason why? Can't see his choice of Ireland over England being on the Chelsea fan's radar.

[citizenDJ]

I think i'd be tempted to bring on Albrighton for Downing on the right for the second half, he's not playing well and doesn't look too comfortable out there. I reckon young Marc might get something out of Cole....

[villasjf]

I wish my Missus knickers went down as quickly as some of these Chelsea players.

They do my friend, when your at work!!!

[brontebilly]

ease up on the ref lads - all our yellows have been deserved and I thought Ashley Young went in nice and high on Cole too. Essien certainly deserved one. Could never understand people claiming Essien is world class as an aside he is having some stinker today. anyway we could have dropped the heads losing the goal like that. It was stupid by Collins but a bit soft. Our equaliser was thoroughly deserved. We are all over Chelsea on set pieces. Dunne and Clark should have scored already. Just need Ashley Young who has been superb to stop playing them short. Just keep whistling them in and we will score again. We have a giant of a team today and the likes of Ferreira are being murdered in the air.

Ive been impressed with Petrov and Reo Coker today, they are well on top in midfield. Gabby has worked hard protecting Clark on the left but Id argue Clark hasnt even required protection as he has dealt with Anelka superbly thus far. Sure our tactics are a bit prehistoric but they are paying dividends so keep it up. Downing has been on the ball a lot but hasnt used it well in dangerous positions. Dunne has been excellent so far, good decision to bring him back and drop Warnock I must say. Cuellar has worried me a bit. He should have stepped out twice for offside but didnt and it took Dunne getting back to save a goal.

Just hope we can push on in the second half and not adopt a what we have we hold attitude. Chelsea have been awful thus far and there for the taking today. With six yellows a lot of players will have to be careful in the second half. I certainly expect Delph to come in for probably Petrov after an hour or so. Wouldnt mind Gabby up top for a bit and play Young on the left. Overall much much better. The team is organised, playing with purpose and spirit. Just need to make sure not to let this opportunity slip.

[glasses]

Much much better. Some fight, some energy. I can take losing when they try, and look like they give a shit.

[JUAN PABLO]

I would love to see marc get 30 mins against these, lets go for it, he has a gola in him and the pace will hurt them..  distribution in good areas needs to improve...   but a good half for us..

[Somniloquism]

HT on Sky. They showed the Collins Pen again. Ray Sideways was saying the challenge made the refs decision which he has a point for but Hairy and Tight Trousers pointed out that Malouda takes two steps after the challenge, then throws himself down as the ball gets away from him.

[Dave]

From bbc.co.uk:

James Collins and Brad Friedel were both booked in the aftermath of that penalty decision - they felt Florent Malouda backed into Collins in the first place and TV replays appear to support their view

Replays show Malouda had reversing lights and a beeping sound he was backing in so much.

I'm feeling a little bit sorry for referee Lee Mason. Yes he got the Chelsea penalty wrong, but the players are kicking chunks out of each other

It definitely shouldn't have been a penalty.

[Sarunyu]

1st half is well perform. All the player work well except poor penalty by Referee and many yellow card.
2nd we need to be careful for the 2nd yellow card and keep the same level of performance.
Gabby is very quite so he need to make it different. We need old Gabby to win this game.

We can win this game....

[richard moore]

I think i'd be tempted to bring on Albrighton for Downing on the right for the second half, he's not playing well and doesn't look too comfortable out there. I reckon young Marc might get something out of Cole....

Agree totally as per my post. Downing has been very poor and his constant wimping out of challenges gets right on my you know whats. Mind you, might be a wise decision with this twat of a referee in charge...

[Clark W Griswold]

To be fair the bookings were pretty much fair enough, some tough tackles by us. Maybe the new thing is to actually get stuck in. We have to be careful mind.

The issue is that they are tackling worse than we are and aren't being booked for it.

They were fouling us all over the pitch to be fair, and yes one or two extra bookings could easily have gone their way. Gabby and Petrov's were proper kick 'em in the air challenges, but i'm not complaining as long as they don't do anything stupid second half.

[Toronto Villa]

I can see why Downing is playing on the right as Cole is very strong on his favoured side. If Downing's distribution was better it would be being proved as a good tactical decision to play him out there. Maybe thrown Albrighton on for the last 15 if we have a chance to win this.

[brontebilly]

A mate who lives next to Stamford Bridge amuses himself by listening to the team announcements and guessing why some players are booed. (He's not a football fan).

Today he said Ciaran Clark was booed. Any reason why? Can't see his choice of Ireland over England being on the Chelsea fan's radar.

chelsea and rangers - pride of britain scarves are all over stamford bridge. Though the new Chelsea fans are hardly overjoyed to be associated with the Glasgow bigots.