Date: Saturday, October 17 Time: 15:00 BST Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
With the international break over, its time when both, Jose Mourinho and Tim Sherwood need to sort out their respective clubs fortunes and turn things around for their clubs or face the danger of being sacked. Although, Chelsea Football Club officially made a statement backing its manager, despite the club having its worst start to the season in the last 37 years, when the club picked up just 5 points from the opening 8 games during 1978-1979 season and finally finished at the bottom of the table in Division One.
Chelsea and Aston Villa both have had a bad start to the season. While Chelsea have won 2 matches, Aston Villa have 1 win registered in their name. Chelsea is currently sitting at the 16th position of the BPL Table while Aston Villa is at 18th with 4 points separating both the teams. Last time Aston Villa faced Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge, Chelsea won the match 3-0 with Oscar (7’), Costa (59’) and Willian (79’) scoring for The Blues.
Key Points
Villa has not kept a league clean sheet at Stamford Bridge since March 1998 and has conceded 30 times in their last eight matches at the ground.
Chelsea average just under four goals a game against Aston Villa over their last eight Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea has scored in 23 consecutive home league matches, the longest current run in the Premier League.
Willian’s goal in last match against Southampton was his fourth and the team’s fifth from a direct free-kick this season, which is already three more than what Chelsea achieved in 2014/15.
If selected Oscar will play his 100th Premier League appearance for the Blues.
John Terry is one match away from his 465th league appearance for Chelsea.
Eden Hazard requires one goal for a half century of goals for the Blues. He will become Chelsea’s eighth overseas player to reach that milestone.
Jose Mourinho is seeking his 200th win over his two spells as Chelsea manager. Villa will be his 309th match.
Aston Villa’s four points from their first eight games is their equal worst start (with 1986/87) to a top-flight season.
Tim Sherwood’s side have scored in their last nine away league games, the longest current run in the top flight.
Jose Mourinho has never lost successive home games in his career.
Aston Villa has won just 1 of their last 4 away games and losing the other 3.
Team News
Chelsea:
Chelsea need solve their defensive problems as soon as possible as they have already conceded 17 goals, which is just a goal behind Sunderland (18).
Diego Costa is back from suspension and now available for selection. Remy and Falcao failed to make up for Costa’s absence which eventually hurt The Blues.
Branislav Ivanovic, having his worst start to the season, was injured during the international break and Jose would be forced to sideline him. With Baba Rahman yet to gain exposure in the League it is most likely that Zouma would start in Ivanovic’s place.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek could also feature in the game as Jose had said earlier that he might give the lad a chance.
Expected 11: Begovic; Zouma, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Ruben Loftus-Cheek; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa
Aston Villa:
Nothing seems to be going right for Aston Villa this season. They come into this game losing 5 and drawing 1 out of their last 6 games. Aston Villa manager, Tim Sherwood needs to put on his thinking hat and turn its clubs fortunes before it’s too late.
Tim Sherwood could have a number of his players back from the international break, with Adama Traore, Gabby Agbonlahor and summer signing Tiago Ilori all likely to be in contention.
Jores Okore, Ciaran Clark and Gary Gardner are all nearing full fitness but less likely to recover in time to feature.
Expected 11: Guzan; Amavi, Lescott, Richards, Hutton; Gueye, Westwood, Veretout; Grealish, Gestede, Ayew
Recent Form
Chelsea: WLLWDL
Aston Villa: LDLLLL
Head-To-Head
Overall:
Played: 143
Chelsea wins: 58
Aston Villa wins: 52
Draw: 33
At Stamford Bridge:
Played: 71
Chelsea wins: 39
Aston Villa wins: 19
Draw: 13
The Man In The Middle
Referee Roger East is officiating the second Chelsea game of his career. The first was the 2-0 victory over Newcastle in January this year.
Although both the clubs have had a bad start to their season, I expect Chelsea to win this game, not because I'm a Chelsea supporter, but because Chelsea have an edge over Villa.
Costa would be raring to go and get goals under his belt, and with Ivanovic injured, many Chelsea fans see this as a blessing as most of the goals Chelsea has conceded has come from the right side and now believe their right flank would be equally strong as the he left. Lastly, Chelsea are playing at home and hence the home advantage should help them.
Given the fact that Aston Villa have scored in their last 9 away games, I expect them to score.
Score Prediction
Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa.
Source: DSG
