Aston Villa right-back Matthew Lowton faces a late fitness test ahead of the Barclays Premier League match against Chelsea.

The defender had been ever-present this season until being forced off at Norwich with a thigh strain last weekend and will be assessed later on Friday.

Defender Ciaran Clark (foot) and midfielder Karim El Ahmadi (thigh) are still out, along with long-term absentees Richard Dunne, Marc Albrighton, Gary Gardner and Chris Herd.

Owner Randy Lerner's support for Paul Lambert has never wavered, even during the most difficult spells such as the December slump which saw them suffer heavy defeats by Chelsea, Tottenham and Wigan.

Villa's resurgence since then has been impressive, with a recent haul of 16 points from eight games lifting them away from the bottom three.

``You can get caught up in certain things,'' Lambert said of the Stamford Bridge 8-0 humiliation. ``The defeat hurt. But great credit to the team - they never got their heads down and wilted with it.

``They kept their heads and kept on going. Now the impression is there for all to see. We have been playing really well.

``We are a threat - everyone knows that. We have players who can hurt teams.

``I am pretty sure Chelsea will know we have lads on the top of their game at the minute. We know it's going to be hard.

``The beauty of it is that everyone except ourselves and our fans will expect Chelsea to win it because of the team they are.

``The onus is on us as the home team but we are certainly playing well enough to try and hurt them.''

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will start as he bids for the club's goalscoring record, interim manager Rafael Benitez confirmed.

Eden Hazard (calf) and fellow forward Victor Moses (leg) are doubtful, but midfielder John Obi Mikel (hip) is available again as the Europa League finalists focus on their bid for a top-four place.

Ryan Bertrand (knee) is out, but Oriol Romeu is in contention following his long-term absence with a knee problem.

Benitez is expecting a tough encounter ahead of the Villa Park clash.

``It doesn't matter what happened in the game at Stamford Bridge,'' the Spaniard said.

``The main thing is they want to win, they need to win.

``They're doing well. It will be tough because they're desperate to win and stay in the league.''


http://espnfc.com/en/preview/345535/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=3888

Up Chelsea. Like my Post if you are my Fellow Brother in Sport.

Confirming our Ucl campaign today, a win will definitely see us through, then Arsenal and spurs will struggle it out.

but be thou careful of Benteke

torres2: Confirming our Ucl campaign today, a win will definitely see us through, then Arsenal and spurs will struggle it out.

but be thou careful of Benteke

sure win..all the way

chelsea will not qualify jor.am i first to .............

We need to win the last 3 games of the season so as to qualify directly into UCL group stage + book a date with Bayern/Dortmund next season which Mou will win for us

I predict Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea

KTBFFH!

Aston Villa 3 Chelsea 2...

But_one_day: Aston Villa 3 Chelsea 2...

For your mind

chelsea has done it b4 there will stil do it again

We got this today! By God's grace, we are Winning....... KTBFFH

I see Chelsea to end goaless

Like this if u think chelsea will win

Like this if u think aston villa wil win

Any slip from either Arsenal or Tottenham will secure Chelsea a Place in the top four irrespective of the outcome of today's match with Aston Villa

boron10: Any slip from either Arsenal or Tottenham will secure Chelsea a Place in the top four.

Same apply to Arsenal too..

Any slip from either Chelsea or Tottenham will secure Arsenal a Place in the top four

dotcom_na_me_na_me:

Same apply to Arsenal too..

Any slip from either Chelsea or Tottenham will secure Arsenal a Place in the top four

Lie! A draw from chelsea and a win from Tottenham would still threaten Arsenal's top four bid

boron10:
Lie! A draw from chelsea and a win from Tottenham would still threaten Arsenal's top four bid

And a draw from Chelsea would favor Arsenal, while i believe Tottenham will draw or lose..

Chelsea all the way, and frank lampard will break the record today.

up Chelsea. Chelsea for liveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

sandrapower:


up Chelsea. Chelsea for liveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

In Tonto word, ''KEEP DREAMING''

But_one_day: Aston Villa 3 Chelsea 2...

Na u go use ur hand go score'AM.

Bimfo: We got this today! By God's grace, we are Winning....... KTBFFH

U'RE RIGHT ON POINT' BROTHER. MEHNNN, I it feels soo gud to be here. i've been a longer time admirer of dis forum. thanks to God am finally privileged to comment alongside ma follow countrymen. especially my fellow Blues fans. fell like ontop of de world now.

Game on

Game on

#livecommentary

No kill mata now

Mtn for baker that challenge is harsh

Aston villa 0-0 Chelsea

This match will end DRAW

Rami off

Still stalemate