Chelsea v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[ciggiesnbeer]

Draw away followed by a couple of home wins will do us just fine.

The one I really want to win is boxing day against the deluded arrogant tossers. Why are all spurs fans ars*hol*s?

I want to beat Spurs as well. I dont think that are that bad but they sure have got above their station the past couple of years. They need to be put back in their place

[eastie]

I'd be happy with 6 points from the next 3 games .

[Goldie.7]

A flat performance after an excellent couple of weeks.

2-0 Chelsea.

Exactly what i was thinking when i woke up this morning feeling like shit. Hopefully we're  both wrong.

[Clampy]

any one got any tips where i can watch the game in NY?

On the telly
Get on the net and contact New York Villains. They meet somewhere near the Empire State builing in a bar.

I think the bar they go to is called Legends but i'm not sure. There's also Nevada Smith's which is a decent place to watch footy.

[phantom limb]

Hello our referee for Saturday

Oh for God's sake. All my pre-Christmas cheer just evaporated.

[VillaAlways]

A flat performance after an excellent couple of weeks.

2-0 Chelsea.

Yes after being totally hyped up all week by the media,I can see this happening

[midnite]

Only thing going for us is the their journey back home from that little cup competition and the game against Leeds only a few days after, they might be a little tired. But I'm still not very optimistic.

We've had a great run, things I think are starting to work for us but I feel we are still susceptible to a hiding from someone. We'll bounce back for sure but I think 3-0 to Chelsea. This isn't a doom and gloom prediction. I'm very proud of the villa team and what they're producing at the moment.

Then we'll come back and beat spurs.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Draw

[richard moore]

Only thing going for us is the their journey back home from that little cup competition and the game against Leeds only a few days after, they might be a little tired. But I'm still not very optimistic.

We've had a great run, things I think are starting to work for us but I feel we are still susceptible to a hiding from someone. We'll bounce back for sure but I think 3-0 to Chelsea. This isn't a doom and gloom prediction. I'm very proud of the villa team and what they're producing at the moment.

Then we'll come back and beat spurs.

Wise words I think, I would agree totally. I hope we are both completely wrong of course as this is my local derby so to speak - surrounded as I am by their johnny come lately, gloryhunting 'fans' - and I use the term very loosely as most of them probably don't even know they are playing today

[pauliewalnuts]

I wouldn't be surprised if we got beaten soundly today - it'd be a come down after last week, but really, it is going to be like that, ups and downs, for this whole season.

We haven't suddenly become brilliant, like we were never actually totally shit.

This is one of the toughest fixtures all year, and whatever happens, if we lose, we need to not take it too much to heart, we just need to keep backing the manager and the players.

[dave.woodhall]

I wouldn't be surprised if we got beaten soundly today - it'd be a come down after last week, but really, it is going to be like that, ups and downs, for this whole season.

We haven't suddenly become brilliant, like we were never actually totally shit.

This is one of the toughest fixtures all year, and whatever happens, we just need to keep backing the manager and the players.

Yup.

[olaftab]

Yes there is no need to think that only a win or a draw today will do us today. We are more than likely to lose and that's ok. Just keep moving. I game I would love to see us win is on Boxing Day.

[SashasGrandad]

A flat performance after an excellent couple of weeks.

2-0 Chelsea.

Yes after being totally hyped up all week by the media,I can see this happening

A dubious penalty and a 2nd that is miles offside. Ref (you know who) too far away to see it.

[eastie]

Paul Lambert on key midfield duo.



Paul Lambert has hailed his midfield duo of Ashley Westwood and Barry Bannan on the eve of the Chelsea game, insisting: "They're in exceptional form."

In fact, Lambert believes they aren't getting the full credit they deserve.

Lambert thinks Westwood is a "Mini Scholes" in central midfield, keeping the ball moving beautifully and hardly ever giving it away in the process.

And he says Bannan is on cloud nine at present, forming, as he is, a wonderful partnership with Westwood in the middle ground.

Lambert said: "Ashley has been exceptional. He probably doesn't get the credit he deserves because he's got a great art of giving the ball to someone in the same colour of shirt.

"People think that's easy but I know from my own experience that it's not.

"He knows how to do it and he's been brilliant for us. He's been like that since we threw him in at Sunderland. He's been exceptional.

"His pass completion rate goes under the radar. People tend to focus on different things. But Ashley has come from Crewe and had a great upbringing. He's been exceptional for us.

"I called him a Mini Scholes. I stand by it. I still believe it because of the way he passes the ball.

"Sometimes the five-yard pass is the most difficult because no-one wants to play it. He does it brilliantly well.

"He's a top, top player. He moves the ball quickly. No-one is going to outrun a football. Nobody is quicker than the football. He uses that to great effect.

"Barry has been excellent also. He's another one who probably doesn't get the credit he deserves.

"He's got a great knack like Ashley of not giving the ball away.

"People can look at his height and think he's not strong enough but what he can do is he can play football, he can manoeuvre that ball.

"Barry is playing really, really well at the minute"

[avfcpg]

If we give Chelsea the room we gave Liverpool in the first 25 mins we could get heavily punished.
Hopefuly we will grow into the game, impose ourselves and give them a good twatting...