Chelsea v Aston Villa: match preview

Chelsea v Aston Villa: match preview

A week ago this would have been an intriguing top of the table contest, but Arsenal burst Aston Villa’s bubble. Paul Lambert’s squad had been affected by a virus before that first loss of the season and his players will arrive recovered, though competing with Chelsea, with Diego Costa fit and starting, will provide its own problems. The leaders have lost one league game at home to Villa in 12 years. They will be confident of remaining clear of the pack. Dominic Fifield

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Stamford Bridge

Last season Chelsea 2 Aston Villa 1

Referee P Dowd

This season G2, Y5, R0, 2.50 cards per game

Odds H 2-9 A 16-1 D 6-1
Chelsea v Aston Villa Chelsea v Aston Villa: probable starters in bold contenders in light.
Chelsea

Subs from Cech, Schwarzer, Salah, Filipe Luís, Mikel, Naker, Christensen, Zouma, Aké, Schürrle, Drogba, Rémy

Doubtful None

Injured Ramires (groin, 18 Oct)

Suspended None


Discipline Y4 R0

Leading scorer Costa 7
Aston Villa

Subs from Given, Steer, Okore, Clark, Bacuna, Cole, Herd, Bent, Sánchez, N’Zogbia, Lowton, Stevens, Grealish

Doubtful None

Injured Benteke (achilles, 4 Oct), Vlaar (calf, 4 Oct), Kozak (broken leg, Nov)

Suspended None

Discipline Y9 R0

Leading scorers Agbonlahor, Weimann 2