Aston Villa vs Chelsea pre-match thread

[Somniloquism]

Seems Palmer has the shits and will probably be out tomorrow. So no injury or red card opportunity for him to miss our game, unless it is more serious and he is out all week.

[Monty]

Hopefully he'll be feeling drained.

[RamboandBruno]

There recent results are a mixed bag, getting good results against better teams, beating Man Utd (better team…I know), beating Newcastle and drawing away at Man City, but then only drawing to Brentford, Sheffield Utd and Burnley. Maybe just the inconsistency of a young side or maybe a bunch of prima donas, who can’t be arsed raising their game against perceived inferior opposition.

If the later is the case and as we saw first hand in the cup replay, they may well come and give us a game. However, it feels like we have some momentum to finish off a brilliant season really well. Our most frequent winning scoreline at home in the league this season is 3-1 (4 times). I’ll go for that again.

Watkins (2), Luiz (pen).

[VillaTim]

I don't see Luiz getting back in the team unless he drops Diaby .

[ChicagoLion]

Palmer is excellent, keep him quiet and we will be ok.

[AV84]

I don't see Luiz getting back in the team unless he drops Diaby .

Given how many minutes some players have played over the last week, I think it's quite likely Luiz will be back in the team.

[VillaTim]

I don't see Luiz getting back in the team unless he drops Diaby .

Given how many minutes some players have played over the last week, I think it's quite likely Luiz will be back in the team.

We've got a whole week off though. Luiz played at Lille and we lost the game and he didn't play well.

[AV84]

I don't see Luiz getting back in the team unless he drops Diaby .

Given how many minutes some players have played over the last week, I think it's quite likely Luiz will be back in the team.

We've got a whole week off though.

And then we have 3 games in 8 days.

[RamboandBruno]

I don't see Luiz getting back in the team unless he drops Diaby .

Given how many minutes some players have played over the last week, I think it's quite likely Luiz will be back in the team.

We've got a whole week off though. Luiz played at Lille and we lost the game and he didn't play well.

Yes but leaving aside a couple of games recently, Luiz has easily been one of our best players across the whole season and really since Emery came in, for me probably alongside Watkins, Bailey and McGinn, Torres as well.

Until this suspension he’s played nearly every minute of every game, he’s entitled to a little dip every now and again, but there is no way he comes out of the side if available.

[PaulWinch again]

I think this could be tough. Chelsea have been playing pretty well, and they tonked us in the cup. They all are, but another massive game. If we win it I think we’re pretty much there.

[Somniloquism]

I suspect it will depend if it is finishing Chelsea or not even a barn door Chelsea who turns up. However as they went 7 games scoring at least two and conceding at least two, It might be who can outscore the other team.

[Footy-Vill]

Arsenal and Chelsea play tomorrow evening so can expect some rotation and maybe even injuries or suspension come Saturday match.

[VillaTim]

I don't see Luiz getting back in the team unless he drops Diaby .

Given how many minutes some players have played over the last week, I think it's quite likely Luiz will be back in the team.

We've got a whole week off though. Luiz played at Lille and we lost the game and he didn't play well.

Yes but leaving aside a couple of games recently, Luiz has easily been one of our best players across the whole season and really since Emery came in, for me probably alongside Watkins, Bailey and McGinn, Torres as well.

Until this suspension he’s played nearly every minute of every game, he’s entitled to a little dip every now and again, but there is no way he comes out of the side if available.

I suspect Diaby or Bailey (knee injury?) will make way for Luiz and the midfield will be beefed up a bit. Hope we have Zaniolo back on the bench too.

[andyh]

Should be an unchanged starting line up for us.
They all deserve it.

Strange how Dougie was much maligned for getting his booking and his ban and yet we have won the 2 games he has missed.

I love dougie, but he slows the game down too much for me sometimes. It’s noticeable we have played with a little more ‘zip’ while he has been out.
To great effect.

[VillaTim]

When we signed Tielemans I read it as competition for Luiz and I'm still seeing it that way . When Tielemans is on it he's the better player for me .