Chelsea v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Ads]

KEA actually played very well. I thought he got nowehere near Walcott when he burst down the flank, but in the midfield he got his foot on the ball, roughed them up and held our shape together well. Westy had a quiet game for me.

[Ads]

1200 tickets sold for this one (which is 300 more than last season).

I think that's a good following considering the price, time of year and time of the game. I know I've had to take a couple of half days, so decent stuff.

[Clampy]

1200 tickets sold for this one (which is 300 more than last season).

I think that's a good following considering the price, time of year and time of the game. I know I've had to take a couple of half days, so decent stuff.

I think it's a superb following considering it's a Wednesday night at £55 a pop, especially bearing in mind the result there last season.

[supertom]

I don't see Lambert changing anything to be honest. Everyone played their part on saturday. I think Clarky has earned a starting spot against Chelski. It's down to him, and indeed Vlaar, to find some consistency with Okore waiting in the wings. Clarky really surprised me actually. I groaned when he came on, have to be honest, but he was excellent. He did more organising and was more vocal than Vlaar. He just needs to keep his concentration up. It's make or break for him. If he plays like he did against Arsenal, every week, he's a future captain in the making potentially. We'll see.

[Ads]

I think not having a back three of Clarke, Herd and Baker, with Lichaj as one of the full backs will help.

Not having Bannan and Holman in midfield will also aid us.

[Toronto Villa]

I think he'll go with Okore tomorrow because he is stronger than Clark. Chelsea are a physical team and we'll need our boys to stand tall. I like Clark, but this will be better suited to Okore partnering Vlaar.

[Ads]

I think the key for us is how quickly we can hit them with Gabby and Andi on the break. Looking at the way they compressed the space against Hull its clear you have to get at the Chelsea back four (who Cole aprt, are pretty cumbersome players for me) as quickly as possible.

Hull seemed to play into their hands; happy to keep possession and play in front of 8 or 9 Chelsea players. You're going to struggle to break that sort of defending down unless you can move the ball very quickly.

[paulcomben]

BBC 5Live commentary will be Fenerbache v Arsenal, which is fair enough. 5Live Extra's will be a ladies' match, which is very PC but otherwise...

[Villafirst]

I you check their Forum 'The Shed End' some pre match comments saying 8-0 and Aston Vanilla - easily licked! Hope we ram those words back down their throats. Cockney wankers!

[avfcpg]

If their forums are to be believed, there's no point in us even turning up. They have no idea what goes on at Villa. Loved one post saying we have dangerous players including N'Zog, Ireland and Bent...that says it all really, much like the Arsenal forums.

I doubt Jose will be treating this one quite as lightly.

[Villafirst]

Talking of N'Zogbia, any news on the exact nature of his injury? We know it's his achilles, but how severe - rupture you would assume due to the injury requiring immediate surgery? If so, it could be January 2014 before we see him back. The club have been very quiet on this situation. Still a good option to have in my opinion, especially off the bench as an impact player.

[sirlordbaltimore]

Midfield will be the key once again. If we let their lads get a hold of it and start their silky one touch passing we've had it

If Lampard plays someone had better man mark him too.

I'd almost guarantee Frank and Torres will be on the score sheet already

[eastie]

Midfield will be the key once again. If we let their lads get a hold of it and start their silky one touch passing we've had it

If Lampard plays someone had better man mark him too.

I'd almost guarantee Frank and Torres will be on the score sheet already

I think Torres may miss out , I expect lukaku or ba to get a game.

[Clampy]

Baker's still out but Sylla is available for tomorrow.

[carlos the third]

According to the OS Sylla is back from injury - it would be harsh to replace any of the midfield 3 after the performance against Arsenal, but also need to factor in that it will be tough for them to play the type of high intensity pressing game we play three times in a week against top sides this early in the season. Having said that, I'd probably keep the same starting XI, with Clark in for Baker, and then if things are going to plan look to bring Sylla on for El Ahmadi after about 60 minutes to keep up the pressure on their midfielders. Can't see anything other than a defeat, but as others have said that win against Arse has given us the perfect start and we can go into this with the pressure off, so who knows!