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CHELSEA v Aston Villa: Preview

Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Saturday, 17 October
Kick-off: 15:00 BST

When we played Aston Villa around a similar time last season we were clear at the top of the Premier League – how things can change in 12 months or so.
This afternoon’s game against a pretty poor Villa this season should really be a chance for us to put right some of the wrongs from our own dire start to this campaign – a campaign where we look as likely to defend our title as JT is to defend his belief in the sanctity of marriage – but what we should do and will do, appear to be entirely different stories of late.
Villa then, who like us, couldn’t be having a more different showing this season so far to last, will probably see this as a possible chance to turn their own form around – that’s how much times seem to have changed at Stamford Bridge.

MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into today’s game, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says “One of the reasons why we paid such special attention to these two national team fixtures was to try to understand things. What I analysed in this period was that no player was better in the national team than they are with us, so it’s not their habitat which is making them play better or worse. At this moment they are what they are, which gives me total confidence that it will be here that we will improve them and they will go back to their normality.”
Villa boss Tim Sherwood meanwhile, says “This is my first tough period in management. Once I get through this period everyone will benefit. I take a lot of heart from managers who have been through difficult periods. We’ll soldier on and get through it. I have 100% belief that we’ll stay in the Premier League. We went for a young group this season, to develop for the future. Up until the Leicester game we were doing okay but confidence dropped. We need to improve and it needs to click and it will.”

SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, Courtois remains out long term and Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) is also absent. Diego Costa has completed a three-match suspension and is expected to start.
For Villa, Gabby Agbonlahor, Ciaran Clark and Jores Okore are all out. Adama Traore is fit and Carlos Sanchez gets a late fitness check.

TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Begovic, Azpilicueta, Terry, Cahill, Zouma, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard, Willian, Pedro, Costa
VILLA (Possible line-up): Guzan, Amavi, Lescott, Richards, Gueye, Westwood, Veretout, Grealish, Gestede, Ayew

LAST SEASON
Chelsea 3-0 Villa (27th September 2014)

CURRENT FORM (league)
CHELSEA: WLLWDL
VILLA: LDLLLL

OTHER STUFF
~ Villa have not kept a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge since 1998 in the league
~ Jose Mourinho has never lost successive home league games as a manager.
~ Chelsea could lose consecutive Premier League home games for the first time since 2011.
~ Chelsea have lost five of their last 10 Premier League games
~ This is Chelsea’s lowest points total after eight games in a top-flight season since 1978
~ Chelsea have conceded at least twice in seven of their eight league games.
~ Villa have only taken one point from seven league games since the opening day.
~ Villa have lost four matches in a row by a one-goal margin.
~ Four points represents Villa’s joint-worst start after eight games of a top-flight season.

PREDICTION
Saying we’ll lose isn’t as much a prediction as a statement of fact these days.

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