Chelsea v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[TaxDodger]

1-3. Terry 72. Albrighton 74, Agbonlahor 89, 90.

[VillaSpen]

We've shown promising signs of improvement in the last two games but we're looking about as toothless as I can remember. Chelsea seem to have beaten Manchester City and assumed that they've done enough until after Xmas so I'm expecting a backlash from them.

Chelsea 2-0.

[brontebilly]

dont think we will be beaten to be honest. chelsea looked a rabble against fulham and we are starting to look solid. Big call at centre half but its cuellar over collins for me. mcleish will defo play hutton.

guzan
hutton, cuellar, dunne, warnock
--------Petrov, Clark--------
-----------Ireland-------------
Nzogbia, Bent, Gabby

If herd is fit Id say he will come back in.

[darren woolley]

3-0 to Chelsea.

[PaulTheVillan]

Chelsea 3-0 Villa

Comedy defending part 14.

Guzan
Hutton Cuellar Dunne Warnock
Albrighton Petrov Clark NZogbia
Gabby Bent

[Matt Collins]

[quote author=brontebilly link=topic=45651.msg1938011#msg1938011 date=
guzan
hutton, cuellar, dunne, warnock
--------Petrov, Clark--------
-----------Ireland-------------
Nzogbia, Bent, Gabby
[/quote]

I agree. Albrighton in if bent not fit. Collins seems to be playing with an injury and we need mobility against Chelsea. I'd keep Clark ahead of herd as he keeps the ball better.

[Chris Smith]

With 2 games in 3 days he might have to consider rotating the squad to keep them fresh. The pragmatic thing to do would be to rest a few at Chelsea to concentrate on the more obviously winnable game on Monday.

[Concrete John]

With 2 games in 3 days he might have to consider rotating the squad to keep them fresh. The pragmatic thing to do would be to rest a few at Chelsea to concentrate on the more obviously winnable game on Monday.

And could you imagine the stick he'd get if he did that?

[Matt Collins]

I also thought about rotating, but we do have 4 free days up to then, and Hutton, bent, Ireland, Collins won't play 3 in a row.

It might be worth not risking bent, and then bringing him in for the Swansea game? Albrighton should be relatively fresh too. One option would be to risk leaving petrov out v Swansea but I'm not sure I'd risk bannan Ireland or delph in a 2 man midfield.

Given swansea's style we might not want to play 442 anyway - we've seen how that works against Wigan, who play a similar style and formation, at villa park in recent years.

So how about Ireland, Clark, bannan - albrighton / n'zogbia bent gabby?

Against Chelsea, petrov would play not bannan, and both wingers would play with gabby up top?

[Clampy]

With 2 games in 3 days he might have to consider rotating the squad to keep them fresh. The pragmatic thing to do would be to rest a few at Chelsea to concentrate on the more obviously winnable game on Monday.

Whilst i see the reasoning behind the suggestion, that would send out the wrong message. Fulham went there and got a point, so i'm sure we can as well.

[PaulWinch again]

Chelsea are vulnerable, we could beat them with the right attitude.

[Concrete John]

I think 5 in midfield is the way to go at Chelsea, so I'd be looking at the same team, but with Ireland or Bannan in for Heskey.

Then at Swansea we go back to 4-4-2 with (hopefully) Bent back upfront.   

[mrfuse]

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

Only one did we have a go at and the Chelsea game calls for exactly the same kind of spirit, we know they have defensive frailties and many teams have proved they can be upset this year.

Dont get me wrong they still have great players like Sturridge and Mata but I really think if we have a go like we did against Arsenal we could get at least a point.

[TimTheVillain]

4-1 Chelsea

We're vulnerable in the areas where Chelsea are strong - not least set pieces.

Drogba will get 2.

Jabuary will be better....

[Irish villain]

Clark is better in midfield than Herd. I think, long term, Herd will be a right back.