Closed Aston Villa v Chelsea

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Not a chance Hazard will be rested, he is far too important right now. The only way he will be rested is if we are cruising 4-0 at HT and then it's a possibility or he gets injured. That's the only way he will be rested.

More of a gut feeling than anything with logical explanation. I guess Salah will start to give Hazard enough rest to come out good against Gala. I do agree with the fact that PL is more important but there's something about this fixture. Schurrle, Salah, Willian and Eto'o for me.

[Stats 7,146]

More of a gut feeling than anything with logical explanation. I guess Salah will start to give Hazard enough rest to come out good against Gala. I do agree with the fact that PL is more important but there's something about this fixture. Schurrle, Salah, Willian and Eto'o for me.

Mourinho is not naïve to leave out Hazard and he certainly will not risk Salah to start ahead of him for this match. The Villa game is the main priority then once that is done we can focus on Gala. Our key players like Hazard will start. "Something about this fixture" is that going to Villa Park has never proved easy and that is why we will see our strongest line up with maybe 2 changes but not Hazard.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Mourinho is not naïve to leave out Hazard and he certainly will not risk Salah to start ahead of him for this match. The Villa game is the main priority then once that is done we can focus on Gala. Our key players like Hazard will start. "Something about this fixture" is that going to Villa Park has never proved easy and that is why we will see our strongest line up with maybe 2 changes but not Hazard.

no one's said he's naive. I certainly do think we can grab a win without Hazard. That sort of mentality could deflate us in the long run. When I said something about this fixture I meant that we will be able to carry on our run and I don't expect us to struggle like I expected us to struggle away to WBA, Sunderland, Stoke, etc. Other teams have to catch up with us, and Mourinho will make sure we aren't dropping points. I expect a really poor first half and a really good second half.

[Stats 7,146]

no one's said he's naive. I certainly do think we can grab a win without Hazard. That sort of mentality could deflate us in the long run. When I said something about this fixture I meant that we will be able to carry on our run and I don't expect us to struggle like I expected us to struggle away to WBA, Sunderland, Stoke, etc. Other teams have to catch up with us, and Mourinho will make sure we aren't dropping points. I expect a really poor first half and a really good second half.

I never accused you of calling him naive. I am stating that Mourinho in other words would be underestimating Villa by dropping him. I don't like to call ourselves a one man team but we can see that Hazard is just too good to leave out. I mean even though Schurrle got a hattrick against Fulham, it was Hazard who was at the forefront of most goals. I agree with you that Mourinho will want to make sure we do not drop points and that is why I expect Hazard to play the whole game unless we are battering them then he decides to rest him. Mourinho will know although there is a huge points difference between ourselves and Villa, games like this are very hard tests and sometimes is just an odd goals that separates the game.

You don't expect us to drop points against teams like Villa but we shouldnt go with the attitude that 'it is a game we should win so let's rest our best player'. There are 9 cup finals left and we should expect to see Hazard starting every single one of them if I am to be honest.

It should not deflate us at all by thinking he needs to play for us to win. Ronaldo plays like every single game for Real when he is fit and he is the difference. He is too good to leave out and while Hazard is not as good as Ronaldo he is certainly on another level to most players in our team and in the Prem. He has had a full weeks rest so he should start 100%. Anything else and I would be shocked.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I certainly do think we can grab a win without Hazard.

We could grab a win with Kalas in for JT, Baker in for Matic and Salah in the Hazard. It's just less likely if we do that, and no-one plays percentages quite like Jose.

There's no reason to rest Hazard, especially when we have an away-goal advantage over Galatasaray in a competition which is below the league in our priorities. Now is not the time for complacency especially when goal difference might play a part this season and we're just 8 goals behind Man City.

I'd be utterly amazed if Hazard didn't start, which leaves two spots up for grabs between Oscar, Schurrle and Willian.

[ZOS 580]

don't know what some people here are smoking ... we're left with 9 games being top of the table, in a period where every game is a final and they talk about resting players ... what in the actual hell are you thinking?

[1chelsea 864]

Expecting a win...but I just get the feeling Benteke will score against you.

correct that

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

Always difficult to play against this lot, especially at Villa Park. They seem to score everytime they play against us. I can see a low scoring game this time tho, defence should come first for Jose. Hope for a Matic - Luiz pivot, but won't happen, especially after Jose praised Oscar.

--------------------- Eto'o ---------------------

--- Hazard ------- Oscar ------- Willian ---

-------------- Matic ----- Rami --------------

--- Azpi -- Terry --- Cahill --- Ivanovic ---

--------------------- Cech ---------------------

[Special Juan 28,141]

Games are becoming more and more crucial now. Formation and selection must remain as tight as possible and consistent. Our defence has been immaculate of late so I am very hopeful we will keep them out.

Cech

Brana Cahill Terry Azpi

Matic Lampard

Willian Oscar Hazard

Eto'o

[aerlgenx 49]

No Hazard.....

IMOHazard will be rested for the Gala game but definitely Eden is automatic in the starting XI.

[Mário César 1,278]

don't know what some people here are smoking ... we're left with 9 games being top of the table, in a period where every game is a final and they talk about resting players ... what in the actual hell are you thinking?

This.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Mourinho has hardly rotated all season, and some people now expect this when we're top with 9 games to go

[Badboy 1,526]

Gala is not as important as this game I would much rather win the Premiership then the Champions League. My point is directed at people suggesting that Mourinho should/think he should drop some of our more important players !

[robsblubot 3,595]

Mourinho has hardly rotated all season, and some people now expect this when we're top with 9 games to go

He has rotated, but some players are considered rotation while others aren't.

Oscar was/is his starter, but has been spared as he hasn't been 100% fit lately. While Kalas won't get a game unless at least 3 of our 4 CBs are unavailable. Same goes for Cole apparently. Ramires doesn't need rotation as he is so naturally fit.

We can see why Jose says City has an advantage. We are very thin in certain areas, even more so in the CL.

[Sheva. 5,373]

He has rotated, but some players are considered rotation while others aren't.

Oscar was/is his starter, but has been spared as he hasn't been 100% fit lately. While Kalas won't get a game unless at least 3 of our 4 CBs are unavailable. Same goes for Cole apparently. Ramires doesn't need rotation as he is so naturally fit.

We can see why Jose says City has an advantage. We are very thin in certain areas, even more so in the CL.

We play the same back 5 every game, and used Hazard-Oscar-Willian for most of the games since December. Matic has started just about every game he's been available for, so the only real rotation has been Torres and Eto'o (the former has been injured a fair bit mind) and Ramires/Luiz/Mikel/Lampard to partner Matic.

[robsblubot 3,595]

We play the same back 5 every game, and used Hazard-Oscar-Willian for most of the games since December. Matic has started just about every game he's been available for, so the only real rotation has been Torres and Eto'o (the former has been injured a fair bit mind) and Ramires/Luiz/Mikel/Lampard to partner Matic.

Sure, those are the facts.

My point/reading was that Jose rotates where he finds players able to rotate; where the substitute performs at about the same level. THe fact he does not rotate in defense, like you said, does not bode well for the players who do not get to play.

[Rom2013 446]

There is rotation in the team. Schurrle, Oscar, Willian are rotating. Terry had problems and at that moment Luiz played, Eto'o and TOrres too. Matic is rotating because he can't play Champions.

There is a problem in 3 positions, the LB (something wrong is going on with Cole) the RB and Hazard that is a lot better than all the others. All the other players are rotating.

[LAB 1,030]

I'd rather go with the usual line up: Iva, Cahill, JT, Azpi ; Matic, Rami ; Hazard (obviously) Oscar (if not a starter definitely a sub), Willian ; Eto'o. Consistency is the key as we approach the end of the season. Please City just drop a point or two (or 3 )

[boshman 1,073]

IMOHazard will be rested for the Gala game but definitely Eden is automatic in the starting XI.

I disagree. Hazard will never be rested at this stage, he is our best and most infuential player. He is the one that makes us tick. Now is not the time to rest our best player. Against Gala or any league game.

Hazard is always a must.

[boshman 1,073]

IMOHazard will be rested for the Gala game but definitely Eden is automatic in the starting XI.

I disagree. Hazard will never be rested at this stage, he is our best and most infuential player. He is the one that makes us tick. Now is not the time to rest our best player. Against Gala or any league game.

Hazard is always a must.