Chelsea vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Lastfootstamper]

Talking to a Chelsea fan at work today he's bet on villa to win 3-1. He seriously fears relegation.

They have taken 30 points from their last 34 matches.

Boehly doing his best to put meat on the bones of the old adage about how do you become a millionaire football club owner; start off as a billionaire.

That said, as a Villa fan whose time served includes 2006-onwards, I probably shouldn't be too quick to mock that particular failing.

[AV84]

Talking to a Chelsea fan at work today he's bet on villa to win 3-1. He seriously fears relegation.

They have taken 30 points from their last 34 matches.

Boehly doing his best to put meat on the bones of the old adage about how do you become a millionaire football club owner; start off as a billionaire.

That said, as a Villa fan whose time served includes 2006-onwards, I probably shouldn't be too quick to mock that particular failing.

If you look at the table for the calendar year, and take out the 6 relegation/promotion sides who haven't been in the league all year, then Chelsea are in a relegation scrap.

[SoccerHQ]

We need to play this like we did Spurs away last season.

Handbrake on first half. If we get a serious chance hopefully it falls to Diaby and he takes it. If not 0-0 is pretty good given how we've defended on the road so far.

Then hopefully with superior bench options we can kick on and have a good go at winning.

I think it will be a draw. Despite our indifferent start it's a disappearing result if we lose today. Surely aswell UE will be constantly going on about being focused at the start given we've been asleep so far at start of away games bar Burnley and been punished as a result.

[Lastfootstamper]

I'm going to be annoyed if we concede at all. They couldn't score in the last two against either Bournemouth or Forest, two sides for whom those results represent their only clean sheets in all competitions this season.

[SoccerHQ]

I'm going to be annoyed if we concede at all. They couldn't score in the last two against either Bournemouth or Forest, two sides for whom those results represent their only clean sheets in all competitions this season.

They created a fair bit v Liverpool on the opening day. Also were well on top v West Ham first half but then missed a penalty and mentally collapsed after that. Jackson also missed a sitter from six yards late on v Forest.

It's same as ever. Keep it 0-0 and their crowd will start to boo subs and missed chances. Concede early and it's going to be a problem given we'll have to push up and someone like Sterling has started the season well.

Jackson v Pau is obviously the key battle. Will be charitable and say they're both still settling in. At least Pau knows him very well from training with him every day for last two years so he shouldn't be getting as rolled as easily last few matches.

[olaftab]

Normal stats dictate that if they didn’t score in their last two games they are likely to score today unless they are a total rubbish relegation contender team. Chelsea are not that so don’t be surprised if they score. We need to play tight and not concede early. We have lost every game where that happened.

[PaulTheVillan]

Chelsea are long overdue a goal, and with our defending it will happen today.

1-1

[AV84]

Even Everton managed a good day yesterday, so anything is possible.

It's been said already but we need to score first. Can't give them any chances to get excited and into their stride. They barely resemble a team when they're at their worst, so we need to keep them at that level.

[Smirker]

Never been more sure of a win on all my life.

Its 3-1 Villa today.

[ChicagoLion]

Never been more sure of a win on all my life.

Its 3-1 Villa today.

Oh dear.

[wince]

Going for us to win. If we don’t I predict a meltdown on here

[PeterWithesShin]

Chelsea have 30 points from the last 34 league games since wiping the floor with us.

[RamboandBruno]

Never been more sure of a win on all my life.

Its 3-1 Villa today.

Well thats screwed that then!

The three really poor performances this season at Newcastle, Liverpool and Warsaw, have started with an early goal for the opposition. Stop this and score first and they will have to come at us and leave more space for the likes of Dougie and Diaby to exploit….so first 10 mins is vital here.

[Risso]

defend well, we'll win...

And therein lies the problem.

[john2710]

Don't concede a goal in the first 10 mins of each half, please. If we can manage that, we should get a result.