Aston Villa v Chelsea

Chelsea's six first team players not available, can they keep hold of the top seat in the premier league table

Match Facts

1. Chelsea have fired in more shots on target (54) than any other team in the top flight.
2. Aston Villa have committed 118 fouls, more than any other team in the Premier League.
3. Didier Drogba has set up five goals, the join-most in the Premier League along with Nani.
4. Villa have dropped eight points this season from winning positions, the joint-most in the Premier League.
5. 78% of the goals Villa have scored have been netted in the first half, a higher percentage than any other team.
6. Aston Villa have lost only one of their last 12 Premier League matches at Villa Park
7. Aston Villa have lost only one of their last 11 Premier League home games against Chelsea
8. Chelsea haven’t lost back to back away Premier League games since 17 October 2009 when they went down 1-2 at Villa Park.
9. Frank Lampard has scored nine Premier League goals against Aston Villa, more than against any other team.
10. Only one team (Manchester City) has prevented Chelsea from scoring in their last 26 Premier League matches.

Aston Villa will be looking to maintain their excellent home form against Chelsea in Premier League action on Saturday.

The Midlands outfit claimed a 2-1 win over Carlo Ancelotti's side at Villa Park last term while the Blues have only one league success at Villa since the turn of the century.
Nicolas Anelka scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea claimed a 1-0 win at Villa in 2009, although that was their only league win from their last 11 trips.
Chelsea come into the contest on the back of a 2-0 success over rivals Arsenal while Villa suffered their first defeat under Gerard Houllier after losing 2-1 at Spurs.
Ancelotti's troops are four points clear at the summit of the league table and will need to win at Villa in order to maintain their advantage over the chasing pack, which is led by Manchester City.

Villa news

French boss Houllier will be without striker Gabriel Agbonlahor after he underwent a minor groin operation following their defeat at White Hart Lane.
Midfielder Fabian Delph (knee) is a long-term absentee, while a leg injury curtails Emile Heskey's availability so Norwegian hit-man John Carew is certain to start with wingers Stewart Downing and Marc Albrighton supplying the ammunition from out wide.
England international Ashley Young, who made his first competitive start for his country in Tuesday's goalless draw with Montenegro, could be given a free role behind Carew.
Villa will be without defender Curtis Davies as he has joined Championship outfit Leicester City on a month's loan.

Blues news

Chelsea have suffered a double blow ahead of the game with the news that Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard will miss out.
Drogba, who has been one of the club's star performers this term, is missing with a virus while Lampard is not yet fit after a groin strain.
However, Ancelotti is boosted by the availability of England defender John Terry who is fit despite missing out against Montenegro in midweek.
Jeffrey Bruma, who withdrew from midweek action with the Holland's Under-21s due to a tight hamstring, took part as anticipated in full training on Thursday.
However, Italian tactician Ancelotti is without the likes of Yossi Benayoun (Achilles), Alex and Salomon Kalou (both thigh) through injury.

Possible starting XIs:

Aston Villa: Friedel, L Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Downing, A Young, Carew.
Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Ramires, Malouda, Kakuta, Anelka.

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Chelsea's six first team players not available, can they keep hold of the top seat in the premier league table

Match Facts

1. Chelsea have fired in more shots on target (54) than any other team in the top flight.
2. Aston Villa have committed 118 fouls, more than any other team in the Premier League.
3. Didier Drogba has set up five goals, the join-most in the Premier League along with Nani.
4. Villa have dropped eight points this season from winning positions, the joint-most in the Premier League.
5. 78% of the goals Villa have scored have been netted in the first half, a higher percentage than any other team.
6. Aston Villa have lost only one of their last 12 Premier League matches at Villa Park
7. Aston Villa have lost only one of their last 11 Premier League home games against Chelsea
8. Chelsea haven’t lost back to back away Premier League games since 17 October 2009 when they went down 1-2 at Villa Park.
9. Frank Lampard has scored nine Premier League goals against Aston Villa, more than against any other team.
10. Only one team (Manchester City) has prevented Chelsea from scoring in their last 26 Premier League matches.

Aston Villa will be looking to maintain their excellent home form against Chelsea in Premier League action on Saturday.

The Midlands outfit claimed a 2-1 win over Carlo Ancelotti's side at Villa Park last term while the Blues have only one league success at Villa since the turn of the century.
Nicolas Anelka scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea claimed a 1-0 win at Villa in 2009, although that was their only league win from their last 11 trips.
Chelsea come into the contest on the back of a 2-0 success over rivals Arsenal while Villa suffered their first defeat under Gerard Houllier after losing 2-1 at Spurs.
Ancelotti's troops are four points clear at the summit of the league table and will need to win at Villa in order to maintain their advantage over the chasing pack, which is led by Manchester City.

Villa news

French boss Houllier will be without striker Gabriel Agbonlahor after he underwent a minor groin operation following their defeat at White Hart Lane.
Midfielder Fabian Delph (knee) is a long-term absentee, while a leg injury curtails Emile Heskey's availability so Norwegian hit-man John Carew is certain to start with wingers Stewart Downing and Marc Albrighton supplying the ammunition from out wide.
England international Ashley Young, who made his first competitive start for his country in Tuesday's goalless draw with Montenegro, could be given a free role behind Carew.
Villa will be without defender Curtis Davies as he has joined Championship outfit Leicester City on a month's loan.

Blues news

Chelsea have suffered a double blow ahead of the game with the news that Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard will miss out.
Drogba, who has been one of the club's star performers this term, is missing with a virus while Lampard is not yet fit after a groin strain.
However, Ancelotti is boosted by the availability of England defender John Terry who is fit despite missing out against Montenegro in midweek.
Jeffrey Bruma, who withdrew from midweek action with the Holland's Under-21s due to a tight hamstring, took part as anticipated in full training on Thursday.
However, Italian tactician Ancelotti is without the likes of Yossi Benayoun (Achilles), Alex and Salomon Kalou (both thigh) through injury.

Possible starting XIs:

Aston Villa: Friedel, L Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Downing, A Young, Carew.
Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Ramires, Malouda, Kakuta, Anelka.

Gunners got shot twice as Chelsea 4 points clear on top !!

Thia pic explains it all !!!

Didier Drogba scored his sixth goal of the season with an outrageous backheel to give Chelsea the lead five minutes before half-time, before Alex scored a rocket of a free-kick five minutes from the end.

The defeat leaves Arsenal in fourth place above Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion on goal difference.

Ivory Coast striker Drogba has now scored 13 goals in his last 11 appearances against the Gunners, but none like his effort here. The much-improved Ramires spied Ashley Cole's run down the left and picked him out with a slide-rule pass. The England left-back squared a low ball to Drogba, who knocked the ball in off the near post with his heel as he span in front of a bamboozled Sebastien Squillaci.

The goal was a blow for the Gunners, who had begun the match in confident fashion and could have been ahead right from the off when Bacary Sagna's cross from deep was sent wide by a diving header from Marouane Chamakh.

The Moroccan's effort took a slight touch of Alex, and from the resulting corner Squillaci's flick-on came to Laurent Koscielny, who put his header over the bar from close range.

The match continued in that same high tempo, high quality vein, with Arsenal's midfield faring better than expected against their more muscular blue-shirted counterparts.

Andrei Arshavin had two efforts saved by Petr Cech, while Samir Nasri fired wide from the edge of the box after selling Ramires a dummy.

The champions had decent chances of their own, with Michael Essien glancing a header from a corner wide and Drogba forcing Lukasz Fabianski into action at the near post after another penetrative pass from Ramires.

A tighter start to the second half finally gave way to a flurry of action around the hour mark. Ramires denied Chamakh an effort with a well-timed tackle in the area before Samir Nasri flashed a dangerous ball across the six-yard box that neither Chamakh nor Arshavin could reach.

Right away at the other end Nicolas Anelka left Squillaci for dead and took the ball around Fabianski, but the keeper had sent the former Arsenal striker wide enough to send his shot into the side-netting.

Arsenal forced plenty of corners in the latter stages, with Chamakh sending a header wide from one of Nasri's deliveries.

Chelsea almost killed the match off when they broke from another corner, but Ramires had just strayed offside when he latched on to Anelka's through ball.

However, the Blues wrapped up the win over their London rivals five minutes from time when Alex fired an unstoppable free-kick with the outside of his boot that swerved round the wall and into the top corner to seal a fourth straight victory over the Gunners for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

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Thia pic explains it all !!!

Didier Drogba scored his sixth goal of the season with an outrageous backheel to give Chelsea the lead five minutes before half-time, before Alex scored a rocket of a free-kick five minutes from the end.

The defeat leaves Arsenal in fourth place above Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion on goal difference.

Ivory Coast striker Drogba has now scored 13 goals in his last 11 appearances against the Gunners, but none like his effort here. The much-improved Ramires spied Ashley Cole's run down the left and picked him out with a slide-rule pass. The England left-back squared a low ball to Drogba, who knocked the ball in off the near post with his heel as he span in front of a bamboozled Sebastien Squillaci.

The goal was a blow for the Gunners, who had begun the match in confident fashion and could have been ahead right from the off when Bacary Sagna's cross from deep was sent wide by a diving header from Marouane Chamakh.

The Moroccan's effort took a slight touch of Alex, and from the resulting corner Squillaci's flick-on came to Laurent Koscielny, who put his header over the bar from close range.

The match continued in that same high tempo, high quality vein, with Arsenal's midfield faring better than expected against their more muscular blue-shirted counterparts.

Andrei Arshavin had two efforts saved by Petr Cech, while Samir Nasri fired wide from the edge of the box after selling Ramires a dummy.

The champions had decent chances of their own, with Michael Essien glancing a header from a corner wide and Drogba forcing Lukasz Fabianski into action at the near post after another penetrative pass from Ramires.

A tighter start to the second half finally gave way to a flurry of action around the hour mark. Ramires denied Chamakh an effort with a well-timed tackle in the area before Samir Nasri flashed a dangerous ball across the six-yard box that neither Chamakh nor Arshavin could reach.

Right away at the other end Nicolas Anelka left Squillaci for dead and took the ball around Fabianski, but the keeper had sent the former Arsenal striker wide enough to send his shot into the side-netting.

Arsenal forced plenty of corners in the latter stages, with Chamakh sending a header wide from one of Nasri's deliveries.

Chelsea almost killed the match off when they broke from another corner, but Ramires had just strayed offside when he latched on to Anelka's through ball.

However, the Blues wrapped up the win over their London rivals five minutes from time when Alex fired an unstoppable free-kick with the outside of his boot that swerved round the wall and into the top corner to seal a fourth straight victory over the Gunners for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Drogba comeback boosts Chelsea

Team Match News

Midfielder Frank Lampard will miss out with a groin problem. Didier Drogba is back after being suspended for the midweek Champions League game against Marseille. Chelsea are also without injured striker Salomon Kalou(thigh) and midfielder Yossi Benayoun (calf).

Arsenal will be without captain Cesc Fabregas(hamstring) while England Under-21 full-backKieran Gibbs (calf) is also sidelined. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (elbow) remains doubtful, meaning Lukasz Fabianski is again set to deputise after impressing in the midweek Champions League victory at Partizan Belgrade, while midfielder Abou Diabyreturns to the squad after an ankle problem.Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), Nicklas Bendtner (groin), Aaron Ramsey (leg), Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie (both ankle) are still absent.

Match Stats

Didier Drogba has scored 12 goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions against Arsenal.

The Gunners have only been able to win two of their last 17 matches against Chelsea.

Arsenal have won more times away at Chelsea (6) than any other team in the Premier League era.

Nicolas Anelka has scored seven goals in his last 11 Premier League starts against Arsenal.

Arsenal’s recent record against Chelsea and Manchester United since their win at Stamford Bridge in November 2008: P9 W0 D1 L8 F5 A20.

Chelsea have fired in more shots on target than any other team (47), ahead of Arsenal with the second-highest tally of 41.

Both goals Chelsea have conceded have been from shots from outside the box.

Mike Dean has awarded five penalties in the last seven games that he has taken charge of a Chelsea match in the Premier League.

Andrey Arshavin has created 3.33 goalscoring chances per game in the Premier League this season, more than any other player in the league.

Michael Essien has averaged 95 touches per game this season, more than any other top-flight player.

ODDS

Chelsea 3/4, Draw 11/4, Arsenal 9/2

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Team Match News

Midfielder Frank Lampard will miss out with a groin problem. Didier Drogba is back after being suspended for the midweek Champions League game against Marseille. Chelsea are also without injured striker Salomon Kalou(thigh) and midfielder Yossi Benayoun (calf).

Arsenal will be without captain Cesc Fabregas(hamstring) while England Under-21 full-backKieran Gibbs (calf) is also sidelined. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (elbow) remains doubtful, meaning Lukasz Fabianski is again set to deputise after impressing in the midweek Champions League victory at Partizan Belgrade, while midfielder Abou Diabyreturns to the squad after an ankle problem.Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), Nicklas Bendtner (groin), Aaron Ramsey (leg), Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie (both ankle) are still absent.

Match Stats

Didier Drogba has scored 12 goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions against Arsenal.

The Gunners have only been able to win two of their last 17 matches against Chelsea.

Arsenal have won more times away at Chelsea (6) than any other team in the Premier League era.

Nicolas Anelka has scored seven goals in his last 11 Premier League starts against Arsenal.

Arsenal’s recent record against Chelsea and Manchester United since their win at Stamford Bridge in November 2008: P9 W0 D1 L8 F5 A20.

Chelsea have fired in more shots on target than any other team (47), ahead of Arsenal with the second-highest tally of 41.

Both goals Chelsea have conceded have been from shots from outside the box.

Mike Dean has awarded five penalties in the last seven games that he has taken charge of a Chelsea match in the Premier League.

Andrey Arshavin has created 3.33 goalscoring chances per game in the Premier League this season, more than any other player in the league.

Michael Essien has averaged 95 touches per game this season, more than any other top-flight player.

ODDS

Chelsea 3/4, Draw 11/4, Arsenal 9/2

Lampard and Terry injured for England qualifiers while Chelsea maintain the Top position in the Premier League

England manager Fabio Capello will be without Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and John Terry for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland after both were injured in their team's win against Stoke City on Saturday.

Terry and Lampard out because of injury while playing stoke

Midfielder Lampard was ruled out with a hernia which will need surgery next week while the Premier League club also said that Terry was unavailable because of a hamstring injury.

Lampard was substituted in the 2-0 win after having missed a penalty in the first half.

"He (Lampard) will need surgery this week, Tuesday or Wednesday. He will not be able to play for England. We have told England," Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

"In one or two weeks he will be back. It's very easy surgery. He needs to do it because he was starting to feel pain."

Capello will have plenty to ponder before naming his squad on Sunday, especially ifFulham striker Bobby Zamora and Tottenham Hotspur's Peter Crouch are unavailable after also suffering knocks on Saturday.

The loss of former captain Terry is a major blow especially as Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand is still sidelined with the knee injury that ruled him out of the World Cup and there are doubts about Tottenham defender Ledley King's abilty to play two matches in quick succession.

"John Terry has tonight been ruled out of England's next two games due to injuries to his right hamstring and glute muscles," Chelsea's website said.

"John has spoken personally to the England management team, and Chelsea and England medical staff have also been in touch.

All are agreed that John's injuries, that he has carried since pre-season, would benefit from a period of rest and rehabilitation."

Will they be back with the 100% Chelsea? Yeah

Capello's options in attack are also looking a little thin.

Crouch injured a rib against Wigan Athletic and Zamora, who made his debut in the recent friendlly against Hungary, is also a major doubt according to his manager Mark Hughes after suffering a thigh injury in the 2-2 draw at Blackpool.

Zamora was on target for Fulham but ended the match in pain after sustaining a blow on his thigh in the first half.

"I would suggest Zamora is a real doubt at the moment," Hughes told the BBC. "It stiffened up at halftime and he thought it might loosen up but that was not the case and it may be more serious. Hopefully he will not be out for a long time."

Tottenham's Jermain Defoe, the only England striker to score at the World Cup, is also carrying a groin injury that could need surgery.

Better news for Capello was Wayne Rooney's return to form for Manchester United when he scored his first goal for five months, albeit a penalty, in the 3-0 win against West Ham United while Arsenal's Theo Walcott notched his fourth goal of the season in the 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers.

Newcastle's Andy Carroll is being tipped for a call-up after his impressive start to the season continued with a goal atWolverhampton Wanderers.

England face Bulgaria at Wembley next Friday in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier before travelling to face Switzerland the following Tuesday.

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England manager Fabio Capello will be without Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and John Terry for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland after both were injured in their team's win against Stoke City on Saturday.

Terry and Lampard out because of injury while playing stoke

Midfielder Lampard was ruled out with a hernia which will need surgery next week while the Premier League club also said that Terry was unavailable because of a hamstring injury.

Lampard was substituted in the 2-0 win after having missed a penalty in the first half.

"He (Lampard) will need surgery this week, Tuesday or Wednesday. He will not be able to play for England. We have told England," Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

"In one or two weeks he will be back. It's very easy surgery. He needs to do it because he was starting to feel pain."

Capello will have plenty to ponder before naming his squad on Sunday, especially ifFulham striker Bobby Zamora and Tottenham Hotspur's Peter Crouch are unavailable after also suffering knocks on Saturday.

The loss of former captain Terry is a major blow especially as Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand is still sidelined with the knee injury that ruled him out of the World Cup and there are doubts about Tottenham defender Ledley King's abilty to play two matches in quick succession.

"John Terry has tonight been ruled out of England's next two games due to injuries to his right hamstring and glute muscles," Chelsea's website said.

"John has spoken personally to the England management team, and Chelsea and England medical staff have also been in touch.

All are agreed that John's injuries, that he has carried since pre-season, would benefit from a period of rest and rehabilitation."

Will they be back with the 100% Chelsea? Yeah

Capello's options in attack are also looking a little thin.

Crouch injured a rib against Wigan Athletic and Zamora, who made his debut in the recent friendlly against Hungary, is also a major doubt according to his manager Mark Hughes after suffering a thigh injury in the 2-2 draw at Blackpool.

Zamora was on target for Fulham but ended the match in pain after sustaining a blow on his thigh in the first half.

"I would suggest Zamora is a real doubt at the moment," Hughes told the BBC. "It stiffened up at halftime and he thought it might loosen up but that was not the case and it may be more serious. Hopefully he will not be out for a long time."

Tottenham's Jermain Defoe, the only England striker to score at the World Cup, is also carrying a groin injury that could need surgery.

Better news for Capello was Wayne Rooney's return to form for Manchester United when he scored his first goal for five months, albeit a penalty, in the 3-0 win against West Ham United while Arsenal's Theo Walcott notched his fourth goal of the season in the 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers.

Newcastle's Andy Carroll is being tipped for a call-up after his impressive start to the season continued with a goal atWolverhampton Wanderers.

England face Bulgaria at Wembley next Friday in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier before travelling to face Switzerland the following Tuesday.