Aston Villa v Chelsea Preview
COME ON CHELSEA
By Since66
February 21 2009
September 2007 was the last time Chelsea visited Villa Park and it wasn't a happy day. Chelsea lost 2-0 with a poor performance and it was the beginning of the end of the 'Special One.' After a dour 1-1 draw with Rosenborg the following midweek, Jose was on his bike.
Today with their fourth manager in seventeen months (if you count 100% Ray), Chelsea return to Villa Park in fourth place, the Villians in third place and two points ahead.
Which type of Chelsea will turn up today? Who knows, hopefully a positive one, with Mr A's mate Guus Hiddink in charge and if you believe the press, a revitalised Didier Drogba.
I thought Dids was immense last weekend against Watford. Dids returning back to the form he showed a year or so ago when he tormented opposition defences left, right and centre.
Drogba announced that he wants to stay at Chelsea and added that he was felt humiliated after the defeat and performance at Old Trafford when Chelsea were comprehensively beaten 3-0.
Drogba said, "Defeat at Manchester United was embarrassing - not just for me but for all of us. I can barely remember when we lost a game like that.
"In the past, when we played United, we always gave them a very hard game.
"Maybe we would win or draw but we would never lose like that. It's the same at Stamford Bridge. We were unbeaten at home for so long and now we have lost twice in a season."
On the temporary appointment of Hiddink, Drogba said, "Hiddink is just what Chelsea need right now.
"When you manage a team like Chelsea, you need to unite the team when things are rough - not divide them. Chelsea is a family - and a family needs to be together.
"When Scolari started blaming individuals, then that was bad.
"To name one player as to blame for what happened in a squad of 24 is wrong."
Chelsea are without Ashley Cole, due to suspension and Alex is doubtful due to a foot injury. With Paulo Ferreira due to play at left-back, young Mancienne who impressed last week at Watford, could partner a returning JT in the centre of defence.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
I notice that O´Neil is putting the pressure saying that we are in a "must win" situation and I suppose we are IF you believe that there is still a chance of winning the title again - if not, then it is just as an important game for them as it is us in terms of helping to ensure a CL place.
I suppose O´Neil´s comments might mean that they plan to hit us on the break with pace and possibly even concede possession to us a bit, that said, I think they have a few injuries.
Re squad selection it will be really interesting to see what Hiddink does; as you say in the piece, Drogba was much more like his old self against Watford and it is clear that he seems to be boosted by the departure of Scolari - either that or his change in attitude is a coincidence!
Then yóu´ve got Anelka who scored a "perfect" hat-trick last weekend - how do you drop a player that has done that?!
Next up we´ve got the left-back issue - Ash is out so who slots in there? I imagine it will have to be Ferreira and hopefully he´ll be able to manage Young/Ablonglahor down that side.
There´s one thing that concerns me a lot - the referee is Halsley. Like with Mavis Riley we have got history with Halsley - he was the ref who unfairly sent off Cuducini (controversy afterwards) and then more recently his error with Terry at City where he sent him off unfairly and then tried to back-track over the offence that he sent him off for - very embarrassing in the press for him afterwards. I just hope there will be no petty revenge factor. Oh! And also he there was the case of the mistaken identity when he sent of Hasslebaink instead of Melchiot at Spurs. Halsley apparently is a QPR fan.
Hiddink does like 4-3-3 but I´m going to take a pot-shot and say that he´ll go 4-1-3-2 with BOTH Drogba and Anelka.
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:02:21:10:29:39 by dixon9.
I am very sure that today match we shall won by 2 or 3 gaol to nothing.
Cech
Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Ferreira
Mikel
Ballack, lampard
Kalou, Drogba, Anelka
Subs: Quaresma, Stoch, Mancienne, Ivanovic, Mancienne, Belletti, Deco, Hilario
4-3-3 presumably....then changing to 4-4-2 if we get stuck!
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:02:21:12:13:27 by dixon9.
i only went on there to say well done and the rest is history now,,
i look for all there results and no the team quite well now.
maybe the people you met were my alter ego from hull.
Gawd help us!
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.