Chelsea v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Malandro]

Jose Mourinho has never lost successive home league games as a manager. He has only suffered seven defeats in 253 league fixtures at home.

[claret and blue blood]

No excuses. They are in a bad run themselves, if Sherwood is serious about keeping his job he has to at least get a point and get a performance out of the team.

[Malandro]

Has he ever faced the orange dot? Is it too early?

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

No excuses. They are in a bad run themselves, if Sherwood is serious about keeping his job he has to at least get a point and get a performance out of the team.

Exactly what we were thinking when we travelled up to Liverpool a few weeks ago.

Just hope we set up to go for it and not sit back and be 1 down after 50 seconds!

[The Edge]

The league table doesn't lie. So they aren't much better than us, a hard fought 2-2.

lol I love your optimism. I will celebrate like a sailor on leave if your right but I fear the worst from these horrible arrogant bastards. They will see this as an opportunity to take the piss and get back to winning ways in the classless way they are so good at.

[peter w]

Have to go 4-5-1 for this with it becoming a 4-3-3

Guzan

Hutton
Richards
Lescott (I think he could sit on Costa and be effective. he won't lose a physical battle and Costa isn't fast)
Amavi

Traore (if fit)
Gana
Veretout
Grealish (could roam as he does)
Ayew

Gestede

Possibly Sinclair for Grealish

I'd throw Ayew in. Just tell him to attack the space down the line and get the ball in the box. I think Gana and Veretout can do the job in the middle but above all else we need to play with a bit of a tempo. But, as Sherwood (ahem) did for the Shit game, keep it tight for 45 minutes and get them jittery and the crowd on their back. 0-0 half-time and then have a look as the 2nd half goes on.

[bob]

I wonder what team is going to come out of the Timbola today.

Somebody's got to win the raffle.

[Stirchley Villain]

We might do okay if Chelsea stand still for 90 minutes.

[Legion]

We might do okay if Chelsea stand still for 90 minutes.

With their hands over their eyes and legs tied together.

[Clampy]

No excuses. They are in a bad run themselves, if Sherwood is serious about keeping his job he has to at least get a point and get a performance out of the team.

You can't come out with 'no excuses' when we're playing away at Chelsea. Yes, they're on a bad run but they're still a very good side.

[silhillvilla]

It's going to A brutal few weeks
Chelsea A
Swans H
Spurs A
CiŁy H
Everton A

I can barely see us scoring a goal in those games let alone picking up any points . Could easily be played 13 points 4.

[peter w]

I see 8 points there.

[silhillvilla]

I see 8 points there.

Under sherwood ?

[peter w]

I see 8 points there.

Under sherwood ?

Yes. A good performance today whether we win or not could be the start of seeing the team click and gel as we hope they will. That should lead to 3 points v Swansea. Spurs and Everton are not beyond us and I can see 4 points there. I also think we'll get something out of Man City - especially if Silva and Aguero are out and Delph is in.

It starts with today, though, and I've been waiting for it 'starting' every week for around the last 5 games. If we're 1 down after 3 minutes and 2 down after 11 I'll be calling for him to be sacked in line with just about everyone.

[Clampy]

Like i've already said elsewhere, I don't think overall the perfomances have been that bad anyway. We've just been extremely sloppy.