I can’t say I’ve watched Chelsea very many times this season and if I have, it’s mostly through interest in seeing how Chucky has been doing. The fact that he hardly gets a start is satisfying, even though it’s also a bit nasty of me. Hey ho, that’s how footy gets you.
I went out of my way to watch them on Monday night, specifically because we face them today and they just confirmed what I’ve thought of them this season. They’re a very up and down side, where you really don’t know what to expect. Suffice to say, Arsenal totally destroyed them.
Hence the logic is Arsenal destroy Chelsea, we beat Arsenal by what could have been 4-0, so we will beat Chelsea easily.
Heh, if only football worked like that. I’m reminded of how Liverpool have been excellent all season, but have imploded just in this week and just as is often said, “it’s a funny old game” and exactly why we love it. Anyone can beat anyone in this league, which is what makes it such a money spinner, after all.
Squad news then and I don’t think much has changed.
Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendía, Jacob Ramsey and Boubacar Kamara,Álex Moreno and Nicolò Zaniolo aren’t fit.
The good news is that everyone else is available.
As for Chelsea, the news is that they have loads of injuries, which to be fair has probably hampered them all season. They have twelve unavailable today, in Chucky, Raheem Sterling, Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill, Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Robert Sanchez, Lesley Ugochukwu, Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto while long-term absentees Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana are expected to be out for the foreseeable future.
The bad news is that Cole Palmer is back after missing the last game through illness. He’s absolutely on fire and is obviously going to be a big danger today.
So, what to think?
As I’ve said, I’m not going to predict anything today. Certainly my “not wanting to jinx anything” stance over recent weeks has served us well, as we continue to get wins, even though we haven’t exactly played that well at times. That’s the sign of a good side though, isn’t it? You keep winning, fullstop, regardless of the performance.
Whatever, the reason I asked “Is this the one?” is because I have a sneaky feeling that this could possibly be the game that clinches a Champions’s league place. Not that I’m predicting, you understand.
I’m just suggesting that IF we win this, it could just prove a bridge too far for Tottenham to overtake us.
As I said though, it’s a funny old game. And us Villa fans rarely get what we want.
Here’s hoping and UTV!
This game is turning into a disaster. WAKE UP
Sid. No.
They’ve got energy to spare. We looked f*****.
This is poor from Villa and these subs can’t come quick enough.
Carlos off? I didn’t know he was playing!
Carlos ON.
This pro Chelsea stuff is making me vivid!!!
It’s making me want to disappear! Nope, never mind…
There has been a correlation that Dougie is the man in midfield when we collapse.
He’s a bloody liability lately, imo.
Luiz off before he gets sent off and Tim on
Jesus.
The second goal is looming and we’ll be lucky if we don’t lose this, imo.
Hard to disagree, Badger.
Xxxx
This is f****** dreadful.
FXxxxxxxxx.
Surprise!
I’m sorry, but that’s down to Unai.
We’re playing a low block and it just hasn’t worked.
The annoying thing is you could see it.
I’m fuming, because there was no need.
Chelsea should have been out of sight.
2-2.
We’re fu**ed.
Playing absolute cr*p
No way are we worth 4th on this showing.
Not even in this game.
I’m completely fed up as we give up a 2-0 lead yet again.
Fu**ing fed up
Would you bet against us? Err, yep.
Chasing shadows…
Sick bags at the ready… 🤢🤢🤢
OMG, what a miss.
Come on guys! The season is nowhere over yet! Bloody hell!!!!
Correct, Bum Bum.
We’re not useless, but just tactically inept at times, imo.