Chelsea v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[taylorsworkrate]

Once again another "Top" Team which I dont think are currently all that, I include in that list Man Utd, liverpool and Arsenal.

There's an argument to be made for the other 2 but 14 wins from 18, 45 points and a plus 33 goal difference suggest that rumours of Manu's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

It's not every year you see them slumming it in the EUFA cup, and its not as if they were playing in a group of death in the EC.

Their domestic record is more a reflection of an overall decline in PL standards than anything.

Without doubt. Outside the top six, it is a very very poor league.

[Shrek]

That puts a fat smile on my face eveytime I hear Stan's celebration.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Bent will be fit for the Chelsea game as no new injury has been found after a scan. According to the Daily Mail. Think he is due a goal. Hope Mcleish keeps Cuellar at the back after a clean sheet against Stoke .....

[The Left Side]

Chelsea 2 - 0 Villa, booooooooo

[Chris Smith]

Once again another "Top" Team which I dont think are currently all that, I include in that list Man Utd, liverpool and Arsenal.

There's an argument to be made for the other 2 but 14 wins from 18, 45 points and a plus 33 goal difference suggest that rumours of Manu's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

It's not every year you see them slumming it in the EUFA cup, and its not as if they were playing in a group of death in the EC.

Their domestic record is more a reflection of an overall decline in PL standards than anything.

Yet Chelsea and Arsenal who are still in the CL are beneath them in the league so I'm not sure that argument stacks up.

The original assertion was that they're "not all that" in this league when results and the table show something entirely different. I think the drubbing by Man City has clouded everyone's thinking.

[The Laughing Policeman]

2-1 to us, just to give Stanley Victor a chance go off on one again.

[old man villa fan]

I would love to see us get something out of this game.  More of a chance if Lampard plays from the start as they look better without him.

I worry about Torres finally hitting form (and Villa usually provide perfect opposition for out of form players).

2-0 home win.

[PaulTheVillan]

Got a feeling McLeish will rest Bent and make sure he's 100% for the Swansea game.

[timeoutbigbar]

Narrow 2-1 defeat but another encouraging display of actual football.  Would possibly start with Bent up top, Gabby and Marc wide and CNZ in behind the striker.  Something like:

                                    Guzan

    Hutton         Cuellar           Dunne          Warnock


                        Petrov           Clark

      Albrighton                                 Agbonlahor

                                CNZ

                                       Bent

[Phil from the upper holte]

0-0

[PeterWithesShin]

Them 3 Us 1. Sturridge 3, Dunne.

[Steve R]

...


Yet Chelsea and Arsenal who are still in the CL are beneath them in the league so I'm not sure that argument stacks up.

The original assertion was that they're "not all that" in this league when results and the table show something entirely different. I think the drubbing by Man City has clouded everyone's thinking.

The actual strength of the best league in the world would be a discussion worthy of it's own title, rather than in a soon to be buried match thread.
 
Qualify or otherwise I wouldn't take Chelsea's or Arsenal's performances - home or abroad - as anything of a benchmark of quality.

The original assertion was 'not all that'; adding 'in this league' merely supports the notion of a very poor PL generally.

They've looked very ordinary in quite a few games this season, including the one a VP.

If they really are 'all that' I'm glad we won't have to face Basel or Benfica any time soon. 

[Villanation]

Chelsea to take this one, Bent is due at least a goal, unfortunately Torres is due a deluge.

Can't see anything other than defeat here.

Swansea game is way more important.

 

[Vanilla]

Villa's knack of being generous to strikers going through barren spells will probably see a 3-0 to yelsea, with Torres to bag the lot. 

[gervilla]

Heskey is out.
We're gonna win this.
3-0 to us.