Chelsea vs Aston Villa pre-match thread

[usav]

Have our players been allowed to travel away with family etc - not seen any images of them sunning themselves in Dubai etc

Surely all should be fit and available for this game - if so then go strong and win it

McGinn is/was in Dubai, he was pictured on the beach with Maguire and Shaw which was fairly unsavoury viewing

Carlos and Moreno were also in Dubai - together with wives.

[Bad English]

I bet Torres was in Valencia perfecting his socarrat.

[VillaTim]

Digne was in Courchevel with his wife and kids.*

*From Eastiegram

surprised he's gone skiing given the injury

[Bad English]

Digne was in Courchevel with his wife and kids.*

*From Eastiegram

surprised he's gone skiing given the injury

More like taking his kids sledging.

[Risso]

Digne was in Courchevel with his wife and kids.*

*From Eastiegram

surprised he's gone skiing given the injury

I think skiing is one of the activities that PL footballers are banned by their clubs from doing, injured or not.

[Clampy]

It would be an unnecessary way for a player to get injured. Their career might go downhill from there.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

The last thing we want is our players out on the piste!

[olaftab]

It would be an unnecessary way for a player to get injured. Their career might go downhill from there.

With remarks like that you are on a slippery slope.

[ez]

I've heard var is not being used for this game.

[PeterWithesShin]

From the other Chelsea thread

Every game this round that is at a PL ground has VAR. Apart from ours. The ties at Bournemouth, Fulham, Liverpool, Spurs, Everton all have VAR.

8 Chelsea v Aston Villa
Referee: Robert Jones
Assistant referees: Ian Hussin & Bhupinder Singh Gill
Fourth official: David Webb

https://www.thefa.com/news/2024/jan/23/emirates-fa-cup-fourth-round-proper-match-officials-appointed-20242301

[PaulWinch again]

Big advantage that they’re playing tonight.

[Demitri_C]

Big advantage that they’re playing tonight.

I dont why is it a advantage? We are going to be so fresh for this.

Although i do wish boro would have given them more of a game. They been so poor

[ez]

Expectations of us winning will be even higher.

[john2710]

From the other Chelsea thread

Every game this round that is at a PL ground has VAR. Apart from ours. The ties at Bournemouth, Fulham, Liverpool, Spurs, Everton all have VAR.

8 Chelsea v Aston Villa
Referee: Robert Jones
Assistant referees: Ian Hussin & Bhupinder Singh Gill
Fourth official: David Webb

https://www.thefa.com/news/2024/jan/23/emirates-fa-cup-fourth-round-proper-match-officials-appointed-20242301

Nothing suspicious about that!

They've even got a former player as the 4th official.

[lennythekad]

FA have said they made a mistake. There will be VAR