Chelsea V Aston Villa
Sports-week 22-28 September
| Date | Sport | Org. | Venue | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24-25 Sep |  |
RFEF | Spain | Primera Division |
| 24 Sep | |
FIGC | Italy | Serie A |
| 26-28 Sep | |
DFB | Germany | Bundesliga |
| 27-28 Sep | |
FFF | France | Ligue 1 |
| 27-28 Sep | |
FA | England | Premier League |
| 27-28 Sep | |
RFEF | Spain | Primera Division |
| 27-28 Sep | |
FIGC | Italy | Serie A |
| 22-28 Sep |  |
ATP | Beijing | China Open |
| 22-28 Sep | |
ATP | Bangkok | Thailand Open |
| 22-28 Sep | |
WTA | Seoul | WTA Seoul |
| 24-28 Sep | |
WTA | Beijing | WTA Beijing |
| 28 Sep |  |
FIA | Singapore | Grand Prix of Singapore (Nightrace) |
| 24-28 Sep |  |
UCI | Varese | Cycling WC |
Wednesday, 21 August 2013 – Kick-Off: 19:45 GMT
Top of the table beckons for one of these sides as Chelsea and Aston Villa, both victorious on the opening weekend of the new term, renew acquaintances in a rearranged fixture at Stamford Bridge – the scene of a mauling when the two teams clashed last season.
This very encounter saw a grand total of eight goals scored back in December of last year, of which every single one was plundered by the same side. Indeed, even the usually defence-minded Ramires helped himself to a couple as a then-rampant Chelsea equalled their highest margin of victory in a Premier League fixture with an 8-0 rout of Paul Lambert’s sorry Villains. However, something tells me we should be in for a more keenly fought encounter on Wednesday.
Mourinho’s selection poser…
Due to Chelsea’s capture of last season’s Europa League, the Blues are duty-bound to contest the UEFA Super Cup in Prague, Czech Republic on 30 August, meaning this league fixture with Aston Villa has been brought forward. They’ll also be taking on German champions Bayern Munich in the show-piece, who are none other than the undisputed kings of Europe at this present moment after the indomitable Bavarians got their hands on yet another Champions League trophy back in May, dethroning Chelsea – winners of the same competition in 2011-12 – in the process.
It’s a significant date in Chelsea’s short-term agenda, especially when bearing in mind the humiliation inflicted upon them by Atletico Madrid in last year’s Super Cup. Therefore they will undoubtedly be determined to make amends in the Czech capital. Even so, it would be foolish to expect any lapses in focus from Jose Mourinho’s ranks at the expense of the German champions. At least not yet. The same, however, cannot be said about their imminent engagement with our very own English champs.
Just five days after their midweek clash with a buoyed Villa, Chelsea head to Old Trafford to tackle the reigning Premier League champions, who, as it happens, were hugely impressive winners themselves on the opening weekend. It will also be Jose Mourinho’s first opportunity to pit his wits against new Manchester United boss David Moyes. It’s a monumental fixture in any season but this one in particular has something extra to it; Mourinho will be all too aware as to the message of intent victory at the home of the champions would send to all the title protagonists.
So, with Man Utd looming large on the horizon, followed by Bayern Munich just four days later, Mourinho has little alternative but to rest and rotate. Fortunately for the ‘Special One’, there is an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. Michael Essien, Kevin Schurrle, Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku were among those who began Sunday’s routine 2-0 win over Hull City at The Bridge on the bench, while Cesar Azplilicueta and David Luiz weren’t even named in the squad. All the aforementioned could feature from the off on Wednesday, potentially providing fresh impotence but, by the same token, causing an element on uncertainty and unfamiliarity.
The velocity at which Chelsea started their match with Hull was actually frightening. A missed penalty and a goal apiece from Oscar and Frank Lampard, all before 25 minutes on the clock, and Chelsea were well and truly on top come the break. I think everyone expected them to push on and record a landslide victory at that point. That wasn’t the case. Far from it. Fatigue curtailed their second half performance allowing Hull to enjoy surprisingly healthy spells with the ball. The Tigers, though, offered next to nothing in the final third; cross after cross was defended resolutely by a steadfast Chelsea defence. On another day, however, against a sharper outfit, Petr Cech may have had more to contend with in the Blues goal.
Roll up in-form Aston Villa then, whose electric display just a few miles north of Wednesday’s venue away at Arsenal left every pundit in the country waxing lyrical. Their victory may have come courtesy of two penalties – one was missed but converted immediately after from the rebound – but make no mistake about it, Paul Lambert’s men were full value for their win over what was, in truth, a beleaguered Arsenal.
Suspect at the back early on when Olivier Giroud somehow found himself presented with a tap-in on 6 minutes, Villa’s response was emphatic. Every Arsenal error was seamlessly punished by a sharp and ruthless Claret breakaway, and on three separate occasions this fluid, rapid Villa counter-attack resulted in a goal. The Gunners simply had no answer to the breakneck pace offered by Andreas Weimann and Gabriel Agbonlahor on the wings on the breakaway, while Christian Benteke clearly hasn’t lost any of his predatory instinct over the summer after netting a brace.
The Belgian forward now has two goals to go with the 19 he fired during last season’s league campaign. Yet you can get enticing odds of 7/2 with BetFred on the prolific Villa frontman finding the back of the Chelsea net at Stamford Bridge.
Villa attack could provide value…
Expect the same Villa side, one now surely brimming with a new-found sense of belief and confidence following their humbling of Arsenal, to begin proceedings at Stamford Bridge. I really would be surprised if Paul Lambert made any changes at all. After all, why on earth would he? His team played with such vibrancy at The Emirates that he would be foolish to tinker, surely? Even with the prospect of fatigue in mind.
In all probability Lambert’s team-sheet won’t differ a huge amount from that which slumped to an 8-0 reverse in this fixture last season. And perhaps ominously, Villa entered that infamous fixture on the back of an eerily similar result– a 3-1 defeat of Liverpool at Anfield. However, some harsh lessons were no doubt learned in West London then that should hopefully stand them in better stead on Wednesday.
As you can tell, I was mightily impressed with Villa on Saturday. Yes, Arsenal were poor, but Villa themselves were truly outstanding. A repeat performance would seriously give Mourinho, and in particular his defence, something to think about. More so than a toothless Hull. There will certainly be changes in the starting line-up for Chelsea. Whether that will be to their detriment remains to be seen, but I fancy Villa, at the very least, to give a good account of themselves.
Villa’s three goals at the Emirates maintained their impressive sequence of having scored in 9 of their last 10 away league games stretching back into last season, netting no fewer than 20 goals in those matches. Their counter-attacking style clearly suits them on the road so I’m more than happy to keep faith with this invigorated Villa attack. SkyBet go odds-against on the Villains getting in on the scoring action with Chelsea, who really should be nailed on to score at least once in their own backyard, what with their array of attacking talent.
Stat Attack: There have been a minimum of three goals scored in seven of the previous eight league encounters between the two sides, six of which featured both teams on the scoresheet.
Betting Tip: Both Teams to Score @ 11/10 with SkyBet
