Chelsea v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Pete]

Chelsea are 1/3 on , we are 15/2 .

Marathon Bet are now offering 10/1 against us according to Oddschecker.

10/1 on Betfair too. I'm hanging on, chances are it will drift a bit more.

[Ron Manager]

I would go with;

Guzan

Amavi, Clark, Crespo, Richards

Veretout, Sanchez, Gana

Traore, Ayew, Grealish

I think he will go with;

Guzan,

Amavi, Lescott, Richards, Crespo

Veretout, Sanchez, Westwood, Gana

Grealish, Gestede

This being a diamond formation in the middle, with Grealish closer to the striker, which I don't think would work. Still, I'm not going to start pouring scorn on something he's not done!

I think we need real pace to punish them at full back, as Ivanovich looks shot. Its critical that we come out with a real tempo and keep them from scoring for as long as possible. You cannot create an atmosphere that works in your favour when you concede in the first couple of minutes like Liverpool.

Chelsea are under huge pressure and there has probably never been a better chance in the past five or six years of going to Stamford Bridge and winning.

Agree with your selection Ads although if grealish is poor in the first half I would get Gil on pronto. Or play both we may as well have a go.Wouldn't be surprised if Libor suddenly re appears.Sherwood is capable of anything.

[UK Redsox]

Wouldn't be surprised if Libor suddenly re appears.Sherwood is capable of anything.

How about a Zog appearance. Is he eligible to play ?

[AVH87]

Clark injured and Adama doubtful unfortunately, with Okore still not fit looks like Lescott needs to find some form.

Villa (4-3-2-1)

Guzan

Crespo Richards Lescott Amavi

Gana Sanchez Veretout

Gil Grealish

Gabby

[Ads]

I'd bring Gabby back in then, as I think we need mobility and speed against these.

[AVH87]

I'd bring Gabby back in then, as I think we need mobility and speed against these.

Agreed they've looked leggy at the back with Terry, Cahill and Ivanovic this season. The striker through the middle needs to be pacey, Gabby or maybe a gamble on Ayew up there again.

[levico]

I think Sherwood will park the bus ......... but at the wrong end.

0-6/7/8/9

In some ways the bigger the defeat, the better. Why should we have to wait until the Swansea match to get rid of this chancer?

[Ads]

I'd bring Gabby back in then, as I think we need mobility and speed against these.

Agreed they've looked leggy at the back with Terry, Cahill and Ivanovic this season. The striker through the middle needs to be pacey, Gabby or maybe a gamble on Ayew up there again.

I think Ayew deserves a crack up top. He's only going to get better by playing rather than watching. He seems quite spikey in that he doesn't mind giving somebody a kick. I think that physical toughness is definitely needed up there, plus his movement seems to be very good. With him playing off the shoulder of some pretty one paced defenders, with perhaps Grealish feeding balls in and Gabby making the pitch as wide as possible, we may benefit.

As an aside, I am not sure where on for some of the frankly pathetic predictions of 6 to 9 nil have come from. Where has this new found Chelsea confidence arisen? Where has our Sunday League form come from? We may be poor at the moment and we may well ship a few goals, but lets not get carried away.

Those reveling at the prospect of a big defeat being good may want to spare a thought for those of us who paid £50.00 for a ticket and who will be making a 420 mile round trip to see us play.

[AVH87]

Fair play to the 1500 or so hardcore who've shelled out £50-£55 for a ticket. Every year it's a ground I say 'I need to tick that one off', then the pricing gets announced and I think 'ahh, I'll do it next year!'.

[Gareth]

Id like to think we'd have something up our sleeve, maybe leave Gestede out as we proved that crossing is hardly a forte of this team....Ayew up top with Gabby & Adama behind & run hard at their defence....Westwood left out of squad would be nice, no doubt Gana &/or Sanchez will come back lame and make it impossible to leave him out though.

2-1 Chelsea for me.

[Monty]

I'd bring Gabby back in then, as I think we need mobility and speed against these.

So why would you bring Gabby back then?

[SamTheMouse]

This is one of those few games in the calendar where Gabby can actually have a real impact. We'll naturally be pressed back at times, and he can provide an out ball and a bit of pace and strength against a slow, high defensive line. Maybe even get in behind them on occasion, provided he sticks to the channels.

I imagine Terry in particular would be more than happy to see Gestede on the scoresheet.

[Monty]

That's what Gabby should be doing in theory, but in practice he's even less mobile than Gestede because he never f*cking moves - and this week it'll be even worse because he'll be full of birthday cake. No, I think Sinclair and Ayew both provide more pace and movement than Gabby these days, and they can actually (sort of) kick a ball.

[SamTheMouse]

True, but I think Gabby's quite good and spinning his man and when he has a bit of clear grass to run into, he looks a lot more effective.

[Monty]

Again, in theory, but fair enough. I just wouldn't trust him to actually do any of the things he's meant to be good at doing.