Closed Aston Villa v Chelsea

[Ankit 3,176]

Apologies if it's a repost.

Cole and Hazard having fun with Marin!!

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

Apologies if it's a repost.

Cole and Hazard having fun with Marin!!

Marin looked terrified

[Milan 17,862]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXgwp4L9YyA

Oriol

and lol at JT at 4:25

[edetarod 2,155]

i have a feeling we'll manage to snatch a draw from jaws of victory again

[AndersonBLUE 819]

I'm working tomorrow so hope I come home to a good result.

[Jase 43,479]

Some pre-match stats...

1. Chelsea have only won 2 of their last 13 Premier League visits to Villa Park - W2 D7 L4. (Only 7 PL wins overall in 20 visits).

2. Rafa Benitez has faced Aston Villa 6 times at Villa Park in the Premier League and his results read - DWDWDW (earliest to latest).

3. Chelsea have picked up 7 points from their last 3 Premier League away matches compared to 0 in 9 prior to that.

4. Aston Villa have won just 3 of their last 11 home games in the Premier League, losing six of those matches. (via Guardian)

5. Aston Villa have not kept a clean sheet in the last 20 Premier League matches. Their previous clean sheet was the 0-0 draw vs Stoke on 8th December.

6. Aston Villa have picked up 16 points from the last 8 Premier League matches (W5 D1 L2) compared to just 6 in 8 games (W1 D3 L4) prior to that.

7. Oscar has scored three goals in his past four Premier League appearances after managing just one in the previous 29. (via Guardian)

8. Fernando Torres has not scored in the Premier League since he opened the scoring in Chelsea's 8-0 defeat of Villa on 23 December. (via Guardian)

9. Christian Benteke has scored 13 Premier League goals in 2013, more than any other player. (via OptaJoe)

10. Chelsea have not beaten Paul Lambert's team (Wycombe Wanderers in 06/07 and Norwich in 11/12 season) away from home in all comps - D2.

[Jase 43,479]

After feeling so frustrated with the result on Wednesday, I don't know what I'm gonna do here if we don't win. Could start going on a rampage in the house!

[Pizy 18,454]

I'm nervous about this game.

Ditto.

You just know both Arse and Spuds will win their games with the luck Arse gets and Bale will probably score an 88th minute winner for Spuds.

We need to score early and kill the game. I'll be nervous until the final whistle even if we're up 3-0 at the half.

[Changingman_2000 876]

I am concerned about this game, big time. Vila are on a bit of a crest, and we were so near yet so far (Cheers for that Thrush). With this in mind, I reckon TFSW will go for it, Yossi in centre of defence, Mikel Obi as the lone striker. Paulo as attacking midfielder and Frank as right back

[The Skipper 20,593]

Don't worry guys we won't lose, I'll be at Villa Park. We haven't lost whenever I've been to a game yet...

[Hutcho 8,443]

No resting of players... Worry about Wednesday on Wednesday...

Best team... Let's get the job done.

Cech

Azpi Ivan JT cole

Luiz lamps

Oscar mata hazard

Ba

3 points thank you very much... Come home Jose.

And then think about the Europa League final.

[Jype 6,398]

Don't worry guys we won't lose, I'll be at Villa Park. We haven't lost whenever I've been to a game yet...

A draw won't do us much good so you're not helping, mate.

[The Skipper 20,593]

A draw won't do us much good so you're not helping, mate.

My record against Villa is 100% (1 game but don't worry ).

[Strike 7,265]

That moment when you realise there's only 3 more games with Rafa

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

Just found out I'm working when this game is on.

Sorry to break it to you, but we never win when I'm at work.

Better luck next year boys!

My record against Villa is 100% (1 game but don't worry ).

Wonder who'se record will win??

Seems like we bout to find out! Hahaha

[teignman 441]

I just hope the lads dig deep. Just a few games left including the EL final. I know it's been a long season (the longest for any club in the PL era), but I just hope they can summon the strength to get us a massive 3 pts at Villa Park.

[didierforever 7,349]

No resting of players... Worry about Wednesday on Wednesday...

Best team... Let's get the job done.

Cech

Azpi Ivan JT cole

Luiz lamps

Oscar mata hazard

Ba

3 points thank you very much... Come home Jose.

And then think about the Europa League final.

luiz seemed beaten, battered and bruised in the last 15-20 minutes of the previous match. i would give him a well earned rest. play mikel/romeu alongside franky

[Stingray 9,441]

Hard to be optimistic for this one. It has underestimation written all over it.

Rafa is gonna bench Hazard (and maybe Mata) for this one I believe.

Let's hope for the best ...