Shane

As good as Lukaku is, I don't think he's the right man to lead our line this season. Still a season or two too soon for him. He isn't going to go from West Brom super sub to starting for a team challenging for the title.

Cudicini Johnsen - Desailly - Carvalho - Harris Di Mateo - Wise Gronkjaer - Zola - Nevin Gudjohnsen

Joses record against them is poor, Lets hope we can put that right tonight, and go top of the table in style.

I hope the Chelsea team aren't underestimating Villa like fans are on here. Very very dangerous team. Would love to see Van Ginkle start though, think Villa are the sort of team where he could dominate the midfield.

This is a huge game imo. Villa really improved towards the end of last season and are a decent side. Benteke staying is a huge plus too them and Gabby Abonghlar on his day is unplayabe. They'll finish in the top half this year, guarantee it. Still fancy us to just have too much for them. If this was at Villa park I'd go for a draw, but being at home I can see us winning in a classic 3-2. The double pivot must press their midfield though, its vital, as it doesn't take a genius to figure out that Arsenal's midfield three of Wilshere, Ramsey and Roiscky lost them the game. They allowed Villa far far too much time when they had the ball and they just had to pick a pass. Whoever Jose goes with up front, be it Torres, Lukaku or Ba must lead the line well, and put constant pressure on the Villa defence.

Think we'll line up with Cech Cesar - Cahill - Terry - Cole Ramires - Lampard Mata - Oscar - Hazard Lukaku

We started like a train in previous seasons and came up short. A 4-0 home win to Newcastle isn't going to win you the league!

Newcastle shot themselves in the foot with that line up. Sissoko, Tiote and Guiterraez in centre midfield against Man City away is criminal. Should have went for a more defensive outlook. Newcastle were very very very poor.

I'm making the point that its not okay to tell someone to kill themselves, especially for something that happened in sport. I don't give a fuck if its an internet meme or not. It shouldn't be condemned or accepted.

Your the one who said it was an internet meme, He hasn't!

Racism and telling someone to Kill themselves should be treated the same imo.

Okay, next black player to score against us I'll call him a nigger. Won't matter if its racist, its funny!

That makes it funny does it?

Because suicide is hillarious

Yes, Kill yourself because you missed a penalty in a football match. Still earns around 30k a week but yeah, take your own life. Let yourself down there, lad.

Why the fuck did we let Sturridge go.

Liverpool look good so far

Sometimes going out and splashing out on a 'World Class' striker doesn't work.

Such a fickle post. Firstly, Suarez was never a potential striker for Chelsea. Read the post match thread after the Liverpool game last season, he bit and attacked one of us, he is fucking scum, even for the way he treated Liverpool in all of this. I don't know why you've brought up the QPR game as an example, because they didn't really park the bus against us in either game! I'll give you a stat. If Romelu Lukaku played in as many minutes as Robin Van Persie he would have end up with more goals. So how about actually giving Lukaku a fucking chance instead of splashing out big money on this piece of shit, and a striker isn't key to 'unparking a bus', as Messi can't do it with Barcelona.

How about we ban members from posting in it for atleast 6 hours after a bad lose/draw? The overreaction to stuff here is completly cringeworthy and makes me ashamed to be a Chelsea fan.

Don't see a problem with it. After a long summer with no football I think its brilliant to get back in the running of things with 3 games in 8 days. These are professional footballers who are able to deal with it, and it gives us a great chance to build momentum heading into the United game. We've had loads of games against United at night time in the past few seasons. The two Champions League ties, The Sunday game last year was dark because of what time of year it was. The midweek one where Luiz and Lampard scored and we won 2-1. The Carling Cup game aswell. I prefer Monday Night Football big games to be honest. Atmosphere is much better at night time games aswell.

I think Stoke will do well too. People are tipping them to go down but I think they'll finish midtable. Think WBA will really push on under Clarke though. He's a made a few cracking signings.

If Hazard was going to end up to score as much for us as Ronaldo for Real Madrid I wouldn't complain!

With the way he's being talked up here I'm expecting a Bale like season from him.

Great article. I'm not sure who to start up front to be honest, but I'm edging to Lukaku. I just wonder is he ready yet though, but time will tell.