Chelsea v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[ozzjim]

My biggest concern is how tired will some of the players be for the Liverpool game after these 2 games. I think we may need to change a couple of things around Saturday.

I agree, could be worth getting Bacuna in for one of the 3 midfielders and Tonev perhaps for Weimann or Gabby at least.

Seriously? Gabby has been instrumental in 3 of the 4 goals we've scored.

I think we might need to make a couple of earlier changes, but there is no way we should change the side unless they look jaded in training. This early in the season, with a break after this game too, I doubt they will.

[PeterWithesShin]

My biggest concern is how tired will some of the players be for the Liverpool game after these 2 games. I think we may need to change a couple of things around Saturday.

I agree, could be worth getting Bacuna in for one of the 3 midfielders and Tonev perhaps for Weimann or Gabby at least.

Seriously? Gabby has been instrumental in 3 of the 4 goals we've scored.

I think we might need to make a couple of earlier changes, but there is no way we should change the side unless they look jaded in training. This early in the season, with a break after this game too, I doubt they will.

We have the LC as well on Weds. 4 games in 11 days. While I don't mind using the squad I don't want us to go with a total B team in the cup as I want us to win something!

I agree, training should tell Lambert if anyone is feeling the effects, worth remembering as well that some had international games last week. Much as we scoff about them playing games at times, we don't want to risk anyone getting a niggly injury as they are feeling the games.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Not sure if it's already been reported but big worry for Saturday is Benteke is still in the changing room picking Suarez's teeth out of his throat.

[PeterWithesShin]

Paul Lambert gave positive injury feedback on Ciaran Clark on the final whistle at Chelsea.

Clark had to come off after 43 minutes at Stamford Bridge after a clash with Oscar.

The 23-year-old centre-half suffered a big cut on his forehead and had to be replaced by Jores Okore.

Lambert revealed after the game that Clark should be fine for the game with Liverpool on Saturday.

He said: "Ciaran has a nasty gash on his forehead that has required some stitches.

"But hopefully he will be okay for the weekend."

Lambert was happy with the performance of Okore as he came on for his competitive debut for Villa.

But the manager was thrilled with the entire team.

He insists the mood is upbeat despite the defeat as they get set for the Reds clash on Saturday.

He added: "Jores was terrific when he came on.

"The feeling is really good. The dressing room has no reason one bit to be down. We will get a lot of credit for that.

"We were exceptional, fantastic. I am proud of them.

"They have bags of energy. I thought the performance on Saturday was outstanding and it was outstanding again at Chelsea.

"We are getting better and better with every game. It's a new team and a new era.

"It's a tough turnaround now but the momentum is there."

[godzvilla]

Just arrived in Mexico Cityhaving after a pensive 11 hour flight and made straight for the Internet at Marriot Business Centre , disappointed to see the lads have lost but by all accounts they did themselves and us , proud . Its good to have a reason to believe and so far this season I,m more than a just a believer . The passion is definitely back ...................Godzvilla !

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Just back.
And still fucking fuming - how could Friend not give the penalty?
The assault by Ivanovic on CB was a straight red - except for the ref.
What a c**t!
If I had to go in the trenches with him I'd shove him in front and stick a bayonet up his arse!

So proud of the team's performance and our support again!
UTV!

[Phil from the upper holte]

I think definitely the refs in this country need Fucking off, I love the European refs, they might not get 100% of the decisions correct but they take no shit and there is no bias, how many tines have we heard promoted teams say they are called number 8 but Gerrard was called Stevie. Of course Arsenal fans will probably will say it's justice but they are ****** as well

[ciggiesnbeer]

Not sure if it's already been reported but big worry for Saturday is Benteke is still in the changing room picking Suarez's teeth out of his throat.

He will still be suspended happily.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Just watched the BBC interview with Mourinho.
What a twat!
He says that all Villa did was Guzan lumped it up to Benteke and this caused them problems. But Villa "did not play".
Ivanovic's fore-arm smash on CB was what always goes on and a yellow was "more than enough".
Terry's handball was nothing because Terry was pushed.
So, he's being a bit of his own ref here, right?
He then has a go at Lambert for contesting every decision and being immature (like the great Jose was 10 yrs ago) and trying to be the referee.
He says a lot about this....deflecting attention away from the fact they got out of jail thanks to two shit decisions by a disgrace of a referee.
He's good for the EPL apparently.
He's good for shitty publicity and headlines.
Oh yeah....that's the EPL, innit?

[Goldie.7]

We've now lost 4 in a row against this lot. Which is a record amount of losses since we won 1-3 in 2011, are we really getting any better?

[Phil from the upper holte]

We've now lost 4 in a row against this lot. Which is a record amount of losses since we won 1-3 in 2011, are we really getting any better?

Yes but so are they. They just throw money at it.

[avfcpg]

Friend looked like a rabbit in the headlights when dealing with the elbow. He face just had "oh shit what do I do now" written all over it. Same for the pen...he bottled them pure and simple. I can only hope that when he watches the game he will know just how much he bottled it and how inept he made himself look..

Had he made those decisions against a top 4 side...I have no doubt he would be "rested" this weekend. As for Jose, am pleased he is back. Just take it as a huge compliment with the comments he gave. He knows he got out of jail.

The team were immense...we deserved more, much more. Hope we can carry that on at home on Saturday.

[wookster]

Ba was clearly offside when ball was put through to him fir 1st goal.  I think that was what Andy Gray was trying to argue on Al Jazeera.

How old does Dorigo look!!

[Nev]

There is no big conspiracy here but referees certainly think twice when giving anything marginal against a "Sky-profile" team and it's hard not to have sympathy.

Give the decision against Villa or Norwich and it will be shrugged off, but as has been mentioned before, a referee runs the risk of being hung out to dry via the media and his career can be negatively affected. This is probably what occurred to Friend last night, hard to swallow for us maybe but a fact of life in a game that has sold it's soul to the highest bidder.

Sky are happy, the PL are happy, Chelsea are happy.

We are fuming, but in the grand scheme of things, no-one else gives a fuck.

[PaulTheVillan]

Thought we worked really hard and were unlucky.

Delph was immense.