Chelsea v Aston Villa: Another Blue day in store for Houllier's men
Aston Villa return to the scene of their biggest thrashing last season and the smart money is on another high scoring defeat for the Villains. Chelsea may have beaten Bolton in midweek but they are far from being the cohesive, offensively dominate side that they were at the start of the campaign. In saying that though, Villa’s recent record at Stamford Bridge should ensure the points remain in west London this afternoon.
Chelsea put seven past Villa last season and, although I can’t see the Blues repeating that score, I can’t see anything but a Chelsea win. Villa have lost their past three away games in the league to Blackburn, Liverpool and Manchester City without scoring a goal, haven’t won at Stamford Bridge for eight years while Chelsea have lost just once at home all season.
The Blues have lost their way in recent weeks but once Lampard, Drogba and Essien hit form Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be a force to be reckoned with. Chelsea will treat Villa with the utmost respect but they will also be looking to put the knife in the under-fire Gerard Houllier.
Chelsea v Aston Villa; Kick Off 1.30pm January 2 2011
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Lynette Ranson |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Birmingham |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Blackpool |
Phil Trow |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham |
Russell Goldman |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Tottenham |
Dave Nash |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
4 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Paul Grech |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
3 |
V |
3 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
3 |
V |
0 |
Panel Verdict
Chelsea are tipped for all three points.
Home: 24; Draw: 4; Away: 0.
* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!
