Chelsea vs Aston Villa Match Thread

[Toronto Villa]

Gil, Ayew, Gestede and Grealish all playing he is asking for a hammering here.

That's not as much the problem, as if you are going to play all four how are you protecting them so they can have some freedom? There is not point having them if the rest of the side cannot retain possession and play in the Chelsea half. Gana is going to be really exposed in the middle.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

This could be 5 or 6 today

Right now I'd take 5.

[PaulWinch again]

Amavi out for Richardson? Mental. Oh well come on Villa.

[KRS]

Once again I'm left bewildered by the starting lineup and can't quite work out the formation...is it a flat 442, 442 diamond or 451???

Pleased to see Ayew getting a start although this may not be the best game to bring him in; Amavi being dropped for Richardson seems more of a defensive minded decision so dont expect our FBs to be getting forward; Sanchez must be knackered after only returning on Thursday.

Apparently this is the "best villa side to get at Chelsea"...I dont quite see it like that.

[rob_bridge]

On paper, that back four would look shit even in the Championship

I fear a right tonking

5-0

Richards aside that is a terrible line up. Add Westwood into the mix.

[richard moore]

I wonder what odds you can get on Chelsea scoring the first within 2 minutes?

[KRS]

...or has he gone 4231?

Guzan
Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Richardson
Westwood, Gana
Gil, Grealish, Ayew
Gestede

[Quiet Lion]

How is Richardson a better bet than Amavi? It is not like he is more defensive.

No creativity at home vs Stoke, no defensive solidity away at a wounded Chelsea. He is clueless.

[Clampy]

It's a brave line up. I'd have put an extra midfielder in there but their defence is dodgy and Terry's not having a good time of it so who knows.

Terry could play this game blindfolded and he'd still have Gestede in his pocket.

Like the Liverpool defence did?

In some ways, it's a similar line up to Leicester. Two fowards, with Gil and Grealish behind them. If he's have packed out the midfield, he might have been moaned at for not being more attacking and having a go.

[Clampy]

I wonder what odds you can get on Chelsea scoring the first within 2 minutes?

If you're that convinced, have a look.

[A Northern Soul]

Or 4132:

Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Richardson
Westwood
Gil, Gana, Grealish
Gestede, Ayew

[ez]

Steve Stride on twitter - Apart from the keeper anyone of their subs would be our star player !

[Toronto Villa]

It's a brave line up. I'd have put an extra midfielder in there but their defence is dodgy and Terry's not having a good time of it so who knows.

Terry could play this game blindfolded and he'd still have Gestede in his pocket.

Like the Liverpool defence did?

In some ways, it's a similar line up to Leicester. Two fowards, with Gil and Grealish behind them. If he's have packed out the midfield, he might have been moaned at for not being more attacking and having a go.

I think the attacking players he has chosen are fine Clamps. It's the players he has chosen to support and allow them to do their job that I'm concerned about. What justification is there in dropping arguably our best player this season for Richardson. Or retaining Westwood?

[Chris Jameson]

A few months with the benefit of Sherwood's management and it seems a player who was supposedly the best left back in Europe last season (according to those stats they use these days) is now not as good as Kieron Richardson.

How to stop Ronaldo and Messi, give them to Sherwood for a couple of months.

[Mister E]

The only consolation of that team selection is that it may hasten his departure ...
... Unless the strategy is for us to go 2-0 up and then bring on Sanchez to shore up the middle.

I'll leave you to decide how cunning you think TS has been.