Can Villa upset the odds against Chelsea?
By Chris Rivers | October 3, 2008 | Ads: 2012 prophecies
Everyone knows that Chelsea have the best home record in the Premier League having not lost a game at Stamford Bridge for 85 matches but do Villa have what it takes to finally become the team to end their unbeaten streak? On paper it looks like Aston Villa have an excellent chance to win at the Bridge with the Blues squad currently under strength after a plague of injuries.
The Champions League runners-up will be without Didier Drogba, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Essien but that list could grow even longer should John Terry, Alex and Ashley Cole fail to shake off the knocks they are currently suffering from whilst Joe Cole is a long shot to play any part in Sunday’s game. Chelsea had a tough game in midweek against Cluj and it looks as though Felipe Scolari will be sending out a side which will contain some walking wounded players on Sunday.
On the other side of the field though will be a Villa side that could afford to rest a number of players for their Uefa Cup first round second leg draw with Litex Lovech. The likes of John Carew and Gareth Barry have been in sparkling form this season for the Midlands club and will be fresh for the big game. The Villains have had an excellent start to the season finding themselves third at the moment, just a point behind Chelsea with the opportunity to go top should results go their way this weekend.
Last season Villa took four points off Chelsea with a 2-0 win at Villa Park and then a spectacular 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge where they were 2-0 up at one point. The visitors to west London will certainly be confident after last season’s results and who can blame them. Despite having not won at Stamford Bridge since 2002 Martin O’Neill has the squad capable of seriously testing the Blues resolve and are certainly looking the best bet to upset one of the big four this weekend.
The contest I am most looking forward to has to be the battle between Jose Bosingwa and Ashley Young because one criticism of the Portuguese right-back has been that as a defender he could be found wanting some times. Up against the explosive Young Bosingwa could be in for a long afternoon and as Manchester United proved if you can keep Chelsea’s full-backs contained it takes away a big part of their attacking arsenal.
Normally I would back Chelsea every time for a home game but this time the match is too close to call and as such I am going to sit on the fence and say the game will be a draw. It will always take a brave man to bet against Chelsea but this time it might be worth a punt.
Category: Football, Football Writers |