Birmingham boss Chris Hughton believes Andre Villas-Boas was unfortunate not to get more time as Chelsea manager.

Hughton will not now get the chance to test himself against Villas-Boas for a second time in the FA Cup fifth-round replay at St Andrew's, having contributed to the Portuguese's downfall by leading Birmingham to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last month.

Hughton feels the former Porto manager was not given enough time to stamp his mark on the Blues after just eight months in charge.

"I think it (eight months) is no time for a manager,'' said Hughton. "It's a club very much going through a transitional period and I felt he needed time to finish the job he wanted to complete.

"Is it embarrassing for Chelsea? It's their choice on what percentage of managers they want to go through. These days we can be critical of foreign managers that don't speak the language so well but he is a real student of the game, he speaks English very well and has got his coaching qualifications on these shores.

"They obviously viewed him as someone for the future but, in that event, you have to give them time to develop. But, of course, at the top clubs that becomes difficult because the pressure is on results, the here and now. It is a real shame.''

Birmingham are facing a player shortage ahead of the tie with eight senior members of the squad cup-tied or injured.

Defenders Stephen Carr (knee), Steve Caldwell (ribs) and David Murphy (hip) are out, Peter Ramage is cup-tied while Curtis Davies is doubtful through illness. Pablo Ibanez is the only fit centre-half.

In addition, midfielders Andros Townsend (cup-tied) and Keith Fahey (groin) are unavailable. Strikers Erik Huseklepp (cup-tied) and Caleb Folan (ineligible) also cannot play.

Eddie Newton has revealed the call to help save Chelsea's season came "totally out of the blue''.

The Blues announced on Monday their former midfielder had joined caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo's backroom staff until the end of the campaign following the sacking of Villas-Boas.

Newton told Sky Sports News: "It was totally out of the blue. It's been a blur to be honest with you.

"The ambition is to get into fourth place and we will push as hard as possible.

"Every game is very important between now and the end of the season.''

He added: "I can't talk about what has been done before but I am Chelsea through and through and we want that drive and that will to win, and when we get that, it becomes a habit again.''

Ashley Cole is a doubt for Di Matteo's first match in charge.

Cole hobbled out of Villas-Boas' last match at the helm at West Brom on Saturday with an ankle injury and will be assessed before the trip.

Jose Bosingwa (hamstring) and Ross Turnbull (ankle) are both definitely out, along with captain John Terry (knee).


Match

i hope they knock chelsea out, so dat liverpool cn do d double. Oliver ask 4 more

Chelsea will win by God's Grace.

I pray we win o. Since all our players has turned us into prayer warriors.

make we lose jare,fa cup too small for us.champions league all the way

Bad news for chelsea. The mumu blues are going down!!

I hope we win. The FA cup is worth fighting for.
By the way do FA cup and Carling cup winners now get european spots too?

i know chelsea will win this one, not because they are fit to but they want to prove a point, torres, sturridge and mata will be scoring today,

New beginning, now I can boldly predict a win for Chelsea Fc again.

Birmingham 1- 3 Chelsea

MeGaStReEt:

New beginning, now I can boldly predict a win for Chelsea Fc again.

Birmingham 1- 3 Chelsea

Birmingham 2 - 1 Chelsea
Chelsea is bound to fail anywhichway the team na mumu team. it can only get worse, brace yourselves guys, your team is going down the drain.

We should be able to recover frm all the set backs this season, Chelsea to win

game on

mukina2:

game on

arsenal 1-0 Milan, where is d link on front page

i don see am

Good touches from my boys so far

lets win this match convincingly

Mikel's style of play just turns my stomach. . .his sense of attack appears completely dead  

hope u can play beter

where can i get the link to watch the match online

Im liking dis team, Young playas. D cabals are on d bench

Im liking dis team, Young playas. D cabals are on d bench

Boy i need goal haba  

Chelsea you can do it

If you guys mess up today, na die for una

`Kalou should be out, while Sturridge come in

45mins played, and still 0-0. We've had a good few chances, Juan hit one wide, and Ramires took a shot which went over. Birmingham's Zigic has returned after receiving some treatment on his face,

@1forall
abeg leave mikel alone.na only him u see for field? Dnt u ever get tired of hating?na wao.i dnt even know wot dis guy did that any thing he does nobody sees anything good.hate him till eternity,he ramains my favorite

Game