Villa – Chelsea; Now here’s a tough one.

Are there any easy ones?
Of course, there aren’t and this will probably prove as tough as most of our remaining fixtures.

On the face of it, it’s a pretty daunting fixture and I’m finding it hard to see how we can win this game.
The only advantage I can see is that we’ve played a game and Chelsea haven’t since the restart, which might mean we have an edge in fitness and more likely mental agility.

We have an horrendous record against Chelsea over the last few years, so there’s not much to hope for in that area either.
That said, it appears that Chelsea don’t keep many clean sheets, so if they’re likely to concede, there’s always hope that if we can score one, we might get something.

But it goes back to the same old problem of our defence.
Chelsea are a different proposition compared to Sheffield Utd and it’ll be interesting to see the defence holds up.
I suggested that we looked better at the back on Wednesday and if we maintain that, we might actually be able to get a point, which wouldn’t have been expected over the last few years.

But the reality is I’m expecting nothing at all and anything would be a bonus.
I like to be as optimistic as I can, but I’m also a realist too.

No predictions from me yet, but I do have a scoreline in my head. I’ll reveal that in the review.

For information, the game is on Sky, but if you have the nous, you might want to look into (cough) Vola Sports (cough).


Comments

53 responses to “Villa – Chelsea; Now here’s a tough one.”

  1. Badger123 avatar
    Badger123

    You never know, I suppose.
    Which I suspect will be the ongoing theme.
    At least Bournemouth lost and I feel we might have to rely on other teams losing more than us.
    Which is why if we can scrap the odd point will be really important.

  2. Badger123 avatar
    Badger123

    Another couple of plus points.
    We are the only team in the league that had lost four consecutive games in the last 6, which is what makes our position look so bad.

    Win tomorrow and we go up to 16th.

    Hey, I’m trying to remain positive!

  3. Bum Bum avatar
    Bum Bum

    2-1 Villa. Our luck has to change at some time! At least the Irons lost last night!

  4. we need a win badly, can not afford not to turn over a big boy. lets face it our style of play is easy to play against. hence why we haven’t turned over too many top teams this season. i hope smith just puts aside his philosophies just until the end of this hectic campaign. cut the boys loose. look at brighton they struggled too playing nice football. but they have done the double over arsenal cause they at least play with attacking intent.

    chelsea are not great, but they are great countering attacking team. the sort which will find villa out. we are too slow in our play, sometimes over playing by miles. playing the ball along the back will be suicide today.

    that said chelsea haven’t played for 3 months and can not be match fit. this is only advantage i can see we have. so make this game a high energy one and keep in the game. as they are bound to tire. chelsea are a high pressing team and they will not be able to sustain that the whole 90.

    i think we will start well and then get found out, they will punish our sloppiness. i ‘ll go 1 3 chelsea. even if we play aggressively and play the 2 up this is a tough game. i just feel if we risk more the rewards are greater. playing in same fashion as we have all season as not been fruitful against the better sides.

    iam glad badger you haven’t sorted that cough out lol nice one. i missed the start off sheff utd couldn’t find a decent river i mean stream lol

    prediction again 1 3 for those not willing to read my waffles

  5. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    Results went our way yesterday but now we have to contribute – nuff said.

    Probably won’t be able to watch as we have problems with our satellite signal – in the form of an over large Turkey Oak – I kid you not 🙂

  6. badger123 avatar
    badger123

    Same team.

    Aston Villa: Nyland, Konsa, Hause, Mings, Targett, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Hourihane, El Ghazi, Davis, Grealish

    Subs: Reina, Elmohamady, Taylor, Nakamba, Jota, Tezeguet, Vassilev, Borja, Samatta

    1. what time is ko badger ? i thought it was 5 ish

      1. Hitchens60 avatar
        Hitchens60

        4.15 Nath

        1. iam dashing around again. determined not to miss the start again . i could i sworn it was a 5 ish ko

  7. newcastle beating sheff utd 3 nil. tells you everything we need to know about our performance against utd other day 🙁 i could tell sheff utd were off their usual game. we better be 100 % focused today or we will get hammered

  8. Bill Pearson.. avatar
    Bill Pearson..

    I see that Newcastle are turning Sheffield Utn over 3 nil at the minute, Bruce must be laughing his socks off. Ok it’s Chelsea today and we won’t win that unless our players find the form they don’t have or haven’t got or forget to turn up. My hope is for a miracle and make my Birthday a happy day. Sorry I’m so negative can you blame me ,we just not got the players that a club Like Villa should have, players that should call it home and treat it as such. I hate to lose its my way in life, good luck Villa we need it today.

    1. Hitchens60 avatar
      Hitchens60

      Happy Birthday Bill

  9. Holte66 avatar
    Holte66

    Happy birthday Bill. Same team so not expecting anything positive. Abraham is a sub so probably will come on and score the winner. At least JT will be happy with the result.

  10. Holte66 avatar
    Holte66

    2nd game advantage didn’t work out for Sheffield United. I’m surprised Smith hasn’t added Samatta or Nakamba for energy

  11. Holte66 avatar
    Holte66

    Prediction 0-3!

    1. Hitchens60 avatar
      Hitchens60

      Holte – We might be lucky to get 0!

  12. Holte66 avatar
    Holte66

    Smith happy during water break. Controlling the game and got Chelsea where we want them!

    1. Bum Bum avatar
      Bum Bum

      I’m getting a bit sick of Smith’s persistence in keeping Jack on the side rather than in the preferred middle.
      Smith, listen to what the rest of the damned world is saying and stop being so pig headed!!!!

  13. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    This is embarassing

  14. Holte66 avatar
    Holte66

    Brilliant tactics, nine men behind the ball and boot it up the field to Davis who is 40 yards away! Time for Smith and JT to go.

  15. badger123 avatar
    badger123

    You have to think it’s only a matter of time before they score.

    Ooh, good chance for McGinn then.

  16. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    Just standing off them watching them play – perhaps they’ll start applauding as well!

  17. Holte66 avatar
    Holte66

    Do they actually play football when they train?

  18. Bill Pearson.. avatar
    Bill Pearson..

    Scored

  19. Holte66 avatar
    Holte66

    Unbelievable. Alan Smith is right, a smash and grab!

  20. badger123 avatar
    badger123

    Yes, Hause!
    1-0!

  21. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    Sneaky tactics – but note JT wasn’t happy!

  22. badger123 avatar
    badger123

    JT didn’t look very happy did he?
    Tosser. Shows where his loyalties lie.

  23. Bill Pearson.. avatar
    Bill Pearson..

    3 minutes stoppage. . 2 now .

  24. Bill Pearson.. avatar
    Bill Pearson..

    Half time ..

  25. badger123 avatar
    badger123

    Hmm, it might not be very good to watch, but we’ve stood up to a heck of a lot of pressure there.
    I’ll be surprised if we can hold them off, but you can’t deny it’s going ok up to now.