Match Preview
Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic is
expecting a difficult fixture at Aston Villa in
the Barclays Premier League on Saturday,
despite the hosts’ recent troubles in front of
goal.
Jose Mourinho's men sit top of the league,
but were held to a 1-1 draw by title rivals
Manchester City at Stamford Bridge last
weekend.
Villa, meanwhile, are without a win in eight
league matches, having scored just once
during that run, with their total of 11 goals
in 23 BPL matches comfortably the worst in
the division.
But Matic insists Chelsea will not take their
opponents lightly as they look to preserve
their five-point advantage over City at the
summit.
"We know that Aston Villa, especially at
home, will be a very difficult team to play
against," he said. "But we have to win. We
have to stay in the first position and we will
do everything we can to win.
"I repeat, we know that they are good, but
we want to stay with a minimum five-point
lead against City."
Paul Lambert has maintained a positive
outlook throughout his side's poor run of
form, but will not welcome the visit of
Chelsea a week after being beaten 5-0 at
Arsenal.
The Villa manager is keen to see striker
Christian Benteke rediscover his goalscoring
form soon, with the Belgian having netted
just twice in 14 league appearances this
term.
That record is in stark contrast to his tally of
29 goals in 60 outings during his first two
seasons at Villa Park, but Lambert is careful
not to put too much pressure on the
forward.
"If I had Christian Benteke right on his
game, performing when back from injury,
I'm pretty sure I'd have a long list of clubs
knocking down the door for him," said
Lambert.
"He's had a dip in form, he's human like
everyone else. We can't rest everything on
his shoulders.
"We're working hard to get him back to
what we know he can do. It's something we
have to get him through.
"You don't have the talent he's got and fall
that far. Everyone has dips in form, it's more
noticeable in him, everyone alludes to what
he did in his first year.
"It's something we're working hard on to
get him back to his best."
Chelsea will be without suspended top
scorer Diego Costa, but Juan Cuadrado -
signed from Fiorentina on deadline day of
the January transfer window - could be in
line for a debut.
Aston Villa could welcome back Ron Vlaar,
who has been missing since the beginning
of January with a knee problem.
Aston Villa (from): Given, Guzan, Steer,
Bacuna, Baker, Clark, Hutton, Lowton, Okore,
Vlaar, Cleverley, Cole, Delph, Gil, Grealish,
N'Zogbia, Richardson, Sanchez, Westwood,
Agbonlahor, Benteke, Burke, Sinclair,
Weimann.
Chelsea (from): Blackman, Cech, Courtois,
Ake, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Christensen, Filipe,
Ivanovic, Terry, Zouma, Cuadrado, Fabregas,
Hazard, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Ramires, Willian,
Drogba, Remy.
http://m.premierleague.com/en-gb/matches/2014-2015/epl.summary.html/aston-villa-vs-chelsea

pamcode. .


14. Please search the forum before creating a new thread on
Nairaland.

created one already www.nairaland.com/2123565/epl-aston-villa-vs-chelsea

keandre:
pamcode. .


14. Please search the forum before creating a new thread on
Nairaland.

created one already www.nairaland.com/2123565/epl-aston-villa-vs-chelsea

oh sorry man i didnt check i no go lie, can one delete a thread

pamcode:
oh sorry man i didnt check i no go lie, can one delete a thread

nope,just modify it for our nxt 3match,cos everton match i don book am

keandre:

nope,just modify it for our nxt 3match,cos everton match i don book am

i should modify ke, everton match booked what? How much did you pay for the booking

pamcode:
i should modify ke, everton match booked what? How much did you pay for the booking

early booking na free

I hope this cudrado is not another hazard at the right wing. If he tries to become one, somebody should pls break his leg otherwise Chelsea with such men at the right and left wings may become extremely dangerous to play against.