Chelsea dropped their 100% record last
weekend with a 1-1 draw at Manchester City.
That was perhaps the toughest fixture on
paper for José Mourinho’s side this season
and they come out of it with a 4-point lead
over their nearest pre-season title contenders
Arsenal.
It was the Gunners whom handed Aston
Villa their first defeat of the season with a
3-0 thrashing at Villa Park last weekend.
Paul Lambert’s side conceded three goals in
the space of four minutes after having only
conceded one in their first four matches.
Aston Villa head into the weekend in third
position, three points behind the league
leaders but are heavy underdogs in this
match. The Villans lost this game 2-1 with a
Branislav Ivanović winner in the final 20
minutes. However, Lambert’s side did win
the reverse fixture and last meeting between
these two, 1-0 back in March.
Chelsea have a trip to Lisbon on Tuesday for
their UEFA Champions League tie with
Sporting Club of Portugal. That’s probably
no reason for Mourinho to rest players this
weekend but should he, there is a wealth of
talent available for rotation.
Despite drawing with Schalke in Europe, the
Blues are heavily expected to win their
Champions League group with Maribor the
fourth team in the group.
Team News
Chelsea
José Mourinho’s side are continuing on from
last season with their good fortune on the
injury front with everyone available for
selection to the Portuguese manager.
Aston Villa
A calf injury has ruled out Ron Vlaar since
the international break and the Dutch
centre-back isn’t expected to return this
weekend. Both Nathan Baker and Ashley
Westwood were sorely missed due to illness
last weekend – they are available to face
Chelsea. Christian Benteke and Libor Kozák
have yet to recover from injuries picked up
last season. The Belgium striker is back in
training at least.

I see heaps of goals in Aston Villa's net. Go Chelsea. Give em hell.
Chelsea for life!!!!

deeobserver209: I see heaps of goals in Aston Villa's net. Go Chelsea. Give em hell.
Chelsea for life!!!!

I fear a draw