Having registered three consecutive 1-1 draws, Chelsea will look to return to winning ways against a struggling Aston Villa, who have managed to win just a solitary game away from home all season. The two teams played out a pulsating 3-3 draw last time around, after Cieran Clark’s stoppage time header gave Villa a share of the spoils. Aston Villa have failed to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for over 9 years and Alex Mcleish would be hoping the hoo-doo ends on new year’s eve. On the other hand, Villas-Boas would be hoping for an improved performance from his side, after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Fulham on Boxing Day.
TEAM NEWS :-
CHELSEA :-The Blues will be without Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel who have been ruled out until the FA Cup tie against Portsmouth. Jose Bosingwa has been included in the squad following his recovery from a minor hamstring injury sustained in the Boxing Day match. Meireles is likely to make way for Ramires, after the Brazilian served his one match suspension against Fulham. Fernando Torres should start his second game in a row, and there are chances of Didier Drogba partnering him in attack.
ASTON VILLA :-The Midlands outfit have injury problems of their own, with Emile Heskey and Shay Given already ruled out, meaning Brad Guzan will continue in goal. Darren Bent is likely to shake off a thigh strain and looks set to feature on the weekend. Alan Hutton returns from suspension and will add much needed pace to curb the threat of Daniel Sturridge and Juan Mata. Cieran Clark might keeep his place in the centre of midfield.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS :-
Chelsea (4-3-3) :-Cech , Bosingwa , Luiz , Terry , Cole , Ramires , Romeu , Lampard , Mata , Torres , Sturridge.
Aston Villa (4-4-2) :-Guzan , Hutton , Collins , Dunne , Warnock , N’Zogbia , Petrov , Clark , Albrighton , Agbonlahor , Bent.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS :-
EPL : 27/03/2010 Chelsea 7 – Aston Villa 1FA CUP : 11/04/2010 Aston Villa 0 – Chelsea 3EPL : 16/10/2010 Aston Villa 0 – Chelsea 0EPL : 02/01/2011 Chelsea 3 – Aston Villa 3Pre-season : 30/07/2011 Aston Villa 0 – Chelsea 2
CURRENT FORM :-
Chelsea :- W – W – D – D – DAston Villa :- L – W – L – L – D
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