CHOULO19

Haha that's brilliant!

It's not that Ramires does not want to, or he can't, it's that you need someone from your midfield to play deeper and cover if you lose the ball, even against Hull. Which is why I like to see Ramires next to a holding midfielder and not playing as one, so he do what he does best.

Hilarious how everyone still clicks on the link even after the warning I guess this proves that curiosity is more powerful that fear

Was having this same discussion about Ramires in his thread and if you look at the numbers I posted you could clearly see that Rami was playing deeper. He didn't make a single run into the box. Lampard does brilliantly well against sides like Hull because he is so effective when it comes to scoring, but I very much doubt he's start many games in the pivot because tends to get bypassed in midfield. Defensively he contributes little to the midfield.

Well, a lot of top teams manage to keep their ticket prices down while not affecting their budgets, so it's not impossible to have lower ticket prices. The point was that you took that a bit too personally. It was just a joking remark.

Right, completely forgot about that. I'm getting too old for this

I think we can handle Shakhtar, especially if they lose Willian. No, just don't want us to get our asses kicked again

I'm sure it was just a joke, mate. Not to get off topic, but would you be upset if we decrease ticket prices?

A lot of assumptions in there that may not be true.

I think he does as he is our only geniune holding midfielder. Ramires did a very good job in that role at the weekend, but it was only Hull. And more importantly, when Rami plays that role, it restricts him and takes away his best asset which is his ability to play box-to-box and make those trade mark runs of his. Van Ginkel looked very good defensively in preseason, but he's still young, and I think his role may be restricted this season in bigger games. Not sure what Jose's plans for Essien are, but I doubt he'll be more than a squad player. So based on the above, I think Mikel will definitely play an important role. On any account, we'll have a better idea what role each player will have a few weeks into the season.

Opposition Views 1 & 2

Anything but Juve again, please!

The guys over at AVillaFan were kind enough to answer a few short questions regarding our match today. Here is what they had to say: -You were involved in a relegation battle last season but have managed to keep hold of your start player. What are your expectations for this season? Sacro- Our form toward the end of last season and in pre-season, and now after Saturday, suggests we could finish in the top half quite comfortably. Lots of goals for Benteke.AnneMc- I'm expecting an improved finish and am hopeful we'll stay clear of the relegation dogfight now the younger players have gelled and we have more depth to the squad. A decent cup run would be nice.Jayemdubbya- 8-12th -Brilliant result in the first round against Arsenal. What did you make of that performance and how important, psychologically, is that first game of the season? Sacro- Great result. Despite all the Gooners moaning about the ref i thought we played particularly well, especially in the second half. We were hungrier than they were. I think it will be a massive confidence boost for the lads, we just don't want a repeat of last season when we faced off against you after a great win.AnneMc- It was a great start to our season and it was good to see Gabby (Agbonlahor) playing so well. The midfield looked better. There were, however, defensive deficiencies that need to be addressed and the defenders will need to be on top of their game tomorrow night. Psychologically, the win should have given the lads a boost as it was third time lucky after opening day defeats in London for the past two seasons but there's no room for complacency.Jayemdubbya- Big win and showed we have carried our late season form from last season into this season. -What have you made of the signings Villa have made so far? And would you like to see more signings before the end of the window? Sacro- Signings look brilliant, Tonev has been the stand out in pre-season, but i expect big things from Okore (more about him in the next answer) and Luna looked like a striker the way he sped down the pitch and put our third away at the Emirates.AnneMc- Good to see Lambert adding depth to the squad. Was great to see Luna so delighted to have scored against Arsenal. Think Okore could be one to watch.Jayemdubbya- Love them, especially Tony Moon. I think he will stabilize the LB position for us. I also expect Okore to supplant Vlaar as CB next to Baker by the end if the season. -Benteke is obviously the man in form, but who else should we look out for tomorrow? Sacro- Okore. I have a sneaky suspicion he was left on the bench and rested against Arsenal specifically to face you lot. If the rumors are true, he turned you down in Jan, and just look at how he played against you in the CL. Could be a great turn by Lambert.AnneMc- Agbonlahor will cause problems if he plays like he did on Saturday. Guzan will make it as difficult as he can for your lot to score but no man is an island.Jayemdubbya- Everyone. Lambert goes for young hungry players and those who can make an impact. Low risk/High Reward. I don't write if any player as just a "squad player".......except for Vlaar and KEA maybe. LOL -Our biggest signing of the summer was Jose Mourinho. What do you make of the Portuguese manager in general and his return to Chelsea in particular? Sacro- I like Mourinho, but i hate the way the press won't shut the f*ck up about him. It really is The Mourinho Show on match days and i think that's worrying. Put it this way, on Thursday morning, Aston Villa either have beat Mourinho or lost against him, and the 11 players on the pitch will be a second thought for the inner back pages.AnneMc- He's an odd one. He's certainly entertaining but his arrogance may be his downfall and he gets far too much airtime. Watched your game and it seemed he hadn't meddled too much with Rafa's formation but was demanding a higher tempo and a more attacking style. It was Hull City Tigers though so we'll see soon enough the impact he has. Jayemdubbya- Great manager, but I do wonder if he's lost it a bit. How much that spell in Madrid took out of him. If he doesn't live up to expectations at Chelsea, who will the fans call for? -What do you make of the current Chelsea team? Good enough to be challenging for the title or not quite? Sacro- You will probably win the league. Very strong side. It's you or City.AnneMc- They should be able to put up a good fight for the title if key players stay fit and if the defense gets tightened up. Not sure if you'll buy a defender before the window closes (should be able to buy several since you charge away fans £55...) or just go all out for Rooney but some fresh blood at the back would improve your chances of silverware.Jayemdubbya- I mean this in all seriousness: you need to move on past Terry, Cole, Cech, and Lampard. I think they hold the club back. Still very good players, but I think there are better ones being held back. Curtois is a top class keeper, don't ruin the relationship there. IMO, Chelsea will be much better off in the long run to move on. Got some very good younger options there. -If you could have one Chelsea player at Villa, who would it be and why? Sacro- Hazard.. or Mata... or Lampard.. hazard would probably convince Benteke to stay and vice versa so i'll go with him.AnneMc- Mata because he's so decisive but I kept an eye on DeBruyne when he was on loan. He did well and I'll be very interested to see how he does for you this season. I appreciate he has quite a lot of competition.Jayemdubbya- Mata. The best in the prem at what he does, and a position of need at Villa. Wouldn't mind De Bruyne either. -What line-up and formation would we most likely see from Villa on Wednseday? Sacro- Guzan, Lowton, Okore, Vlaar, Luna, Sylla, Delph, Tonev, Agbonlahor, Weimann, Benteke.AnneMc- Think we'll get the same starting line-up as Arsenal, with Clark in for the injured Baker, and 4-3-3 or the versatile 4-2-3-1 most likely formations with those players.Jayemdubbya- 4-3-3 -Finally, please predict the result. Sacro- 8-0 Villa. Maybe 9 accounting for interest.AnneMc- I'll predict a 2-2 draw because I never predict Villa will lose - but think that score's a bit optimistic. I'll live as long as it's nothing like the scoreline at the end of our last visit to Stamford Bridge.Jayemdubbya- 2-2.

The guys over at AVillaFan were kind enough to answer a few short questions regarding our match today. Here is what they had to say: -You were involved in a relegation battle last season but have managed to keep hold of your start player. What are your expectations for this season? hOltENdR- Last season was hard at times but we ended well and that looks to have carried over the summer... i hope a top half finish.ak47deol- I think we will be around midtable, wont be challenging for europe or in a relegation battleavstu- Realisticly I don't think any of us would be unhappy with a cup run of some sort and a mid-table finish. We are under no illusions and are well aware that what Lambert is trying to do will take effort, but most importantly time.AVEmpire- A comfortable season, mid table finish. Hope for more, expect a little less. -Brilliant result in the first round against Arsenal. What did you make of that performance and how important, psychologically, is that first game of the season? hOltENdR- It should give confidence, but Arsenal were poor, and the last time we went and beat a so called big club away (1-3 too) we had to go Stamford Bridge next... that didnt end so good.ak47deol- Performance was poor imo but the result is what matters. It will be a massive boost for the lads as everybody had Arsenal down as a certain home win, should give us the confidence to go and get something at Stamford Bridgeavstu- New Man Utd manager David Moyes had a little moan because they meat yourselves, and a couple of other top clubs in their 5-6 weeks of the season - we had Arsenal, yourselves and Liverpool inside the first 7 days and most fans will agree with me when I say we was hoping to steal a point here and there but most importantly come out of the opening three games without taking a big beating. So the Arsenal result was fantastic - despite what there fans say we deserved everything we got the weekend and possibly more.AVEmpire- Loved how physical we played them and the ref allowed it. Hope the aggression carries on. -What have you made of the signings Villa have made so far? And would you like to see more signings before the end of the window? hOltENdR- New guys look bight and promising, relative unknowns so its too early to make any real comment on any of them, We always like to see new players, i struggle to think of anything we are desperate for at this point.ak47deol- I think we are used to Lambert signing cheap unknown players in the hope of unearthing more talent like Benteke. I have been impressed with the lads who have come in so far especially Luna and Helenious. I'm sure you lads must rate Okore from the CL last season. I would still like to see an AM come in and possibly a RB avstu- It was well publicized that our defense was a major weakness last season so we are hoping with Antonio Luna and Jores Okore coming in that we can steady the ship a little. Other signings like Tonev and Bacuna will add depth and competition to our paper thin squad.AVEmpire- I would like to see one big signing but so far the signings have mostly added depth to the team. -Benteke is obviously the man in form, but who else should we look out for tomorrow? hOltENdR- Gabby seems to have found the boost button again, against Old man Terry he should have a field day.ak47deol- Im not a huge fan of this lad but i would say be on the watch for Gabby, he has been in good form towards the end of last season and had a good game against Arsenal. On his day he can be great but he can equally be a shiteavstu- Without doubt Gabby Agbonlahor. So many people say all he has is pace - but he is very strong and will hold his own against most. He is currently in the form of his life and if you pay to much attention to Benteke you may just regret it.AVEmpire- Karim El Ahmadi, if he plays, was excellent against Arsenal. -Our biggest signing of the summer was Jose Mourinho. What do you make of the Portuguese manager in general and his return to Chelsea in particular? hOltENdR- I am genuinely happy he is back in the premier league, I think he is quality and its usually worth listening to him.ak47deol- Brilliant manager, great character and just great for the Premiershipavstu- I am friends with both Jim and Dave from TalkChelsea and they will back me up when I say I have always been a fan of Jose. Some say his arrogant - I say he's confident. There aren't many managers who are better at taking the pressure of his players and putting it all on to himself. And lets be honest - entertainment value - is there a better manager?AVEmpire- I liked the move a lot, for both parties. -What do you make of the current Chelsea team? Good enough to be challenging for the title or not quite? hOltENdR- Without Mourinho i would of said no, but with, i think he can make the difference, Although, i hope he remembers JT and Co are not the players he left a few years ago, the legs have more mileage for a start.ak47deol- With Jose as manager i think you will certainly be in the top 2, if you get a top draw striker then the league will be yours. Think he needs to make plans for Mata though as he really is classavstu- Attacking wise I think you will always be a threat but I'm still not convinced by your back four and I feel you need a holding midfielder to protect that defense. Personally don't see how Gary Cahill was ever signed by yourselves let alone makes your first team - that man has well hell of an agent. AVEmpire- I like Chelsea's team quite a bit. So much young talent in Oscar and Hazard. I currently have Chelsea ranked at number 2 behind Man City. Definitely have a shot at the title. -If you could have one Chelsea player at Villa, who would it be and why? hOltENdR- Hazard, I think him feeding Benteke would help push us further up the ladder.ak47deol- Juan Mata, imo the best midfielder in the premiership. He is just a complete player. Im sure he would fit in fine with Benteke lolavstu- So easy to say a Eden Hazard or a Juan Mata but I'm am completely obsessed by Michael Essien. I so hope he can get back to his very best this season for Chelsea.AVEmpire- I've always liked Andre Schurrle...think he would be a good fit in our system. -What line-up and formation would we most likely see from Villa on Wednseday? hOltENdR- I dont expect many unforced changes from the Arsenal game.ak47deol- I think it will be the same as at Arsenal:GuzanLowton Vlaar Clark LunaAhmadi Westwood DelphWiemann Benteke GabbyCan be a 4-5-1 and attack as 4-3-3avstu- 4-2-3-1 - very similar to the one at Arsenal except Clark will start ahead of Baker who is injured. Most villa fans would prefer Okore to start but his lack of football in pre-season will prevent this.AVEmpire- 4-3-3. Agbonlahor, Benteke, and Weimann up front. -Finally, please predict the result. hOltENdR- Even tho I'm travelling down and paying the ridiculous ticket price, i think a draw is hopeful, realistically i just hope its not another drubbing. ak47deol- I would love to take even a point but Jose has always had such a brilliant home record that i cant see anything but a home win espicially as our defence cant keep a clean sheet to save their lives!! 2-1 Chelsea avstu- I don't like to predict results but providing we avoid a repeat of last year - I will be able to take it on the chin and move on.AVEmpire- Realistically, I'd probably favor Chelsea by a goal or two and I hope its a open game where we both get after each other

You sound live you've done this before, Hutch

Does anyone know around how much an assassin would cost?

If he does, Jose will be looking to take him off at the 60-65 mins with United in mind. This is only the second game of the season, players cannot be worked to the ground like we did with Mata and Hazard the second half of last season. 3 games in 8 days at the start of the season can cause injuries. We don't need that risk.

Some people on twitter REALLY need to get a life..

Would love that, but what we'll likely get is: Cech,Dave,Cahill,Terry,Cole,Essien,MVG, Moses,Oscar,Schurrle,Ba.

Hardly an upset. Skipper has barely been active this season.

I think Boas will be looking to get Lennon out of his starting XI if possible. Very limited player that has virtually nothing besides his pace.

Chadli and Willian on the wings. F*** that's actually very good.

Match Preview By @Strike Here

Great work, mate

The first 4-5 fixtures of the PL all have a relatively low chance of surprise. Almost all the good fixtures are played in a period of few weeks.