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Preferred XI for the Aston Villa match:

We know what to do when we are on top of the table and well, that’s pretty much the same wherever you’re – just get those 3 points. Stamford Bridge is not the best place to visit when you’re trying to continue your unbeaten streak. Aston Villa is yet to register their first defeat in the Premiership this season. They have won three at home and drawn three away. Despite this run of form, I expect Chelsea to win by a 2-goal margin. Why not, when Devastating Drogba seems to be writing his own script for every match and I wonder is this the same Lampard who played in the World Cup (I dont judge him by the goals he score and thats a separate discussion).

Having used 4-4-2 (4-1-2-1-2 or popularly, the 4-4-2 diamond) even in the Levski match, I dont see him now opting for 4-3-3. He is left with no choice other than 4-4-2 as Drogba is striking gold and Sheva is gold enough not to be left out. With Ballack serving his second match of his suspension, unconfirmed news says that the new boy John Obi Mikel gets his first ever Premiership start on Saturday. The Boss was just too impressed by Mikel’s performance in the match against Levski. Mikel sounds very matured in his words and he said the below:

I had been out for a long time and I knew I had to get back to practicing and working hard to get ready, both mentally and physically. The manager has been very good at helping me work hard and I know my time is going to come. It was really frustrating to be out but I had people around me to help me through that time. Everything is settled now and I am back in the beat again, playing for Chelsea which was always in my dream. Starting the last game was a very good feeling and I was happy with the way the game went. The most important thing was that we won. All I had to do was just get in there, be confident on the ball and work hard for the team. I didn’t want to do too much. The way I play is I don’t do too much with the ball so it is very difficult for me to lose the ball. I really wanted to work hard for the team and make sure the team wins

Look at the last two sentences. It almost sounds like taking a dig at someone but I think he is just very plain and natural in what he wants to say. We need some in this category as well – who don’t do magic but just play common sense football to help the team win and possession football, I love it. I think if Mikel starts he would be subbed by Maka who should swap places with Essien (DM to RM).

The highly respected Matin O’Neill has ensured that Aston Villa can not be taken lightly. With Baros back from injury he would boldly employ 4-3-3 which also should help us in our attacks. For all his experience, he knew exactly what to say ahead of this match against Chelsea which might end his unbeaten run:

What’s the point in thinking you’re going to lose? Manchester United and Liverpool go there thinking they have a reasonable chance of success. That’s our aim. It might not happen but that doesn’t mean I’m going there full of fear and dread

Should they beat us, they’ll be on top of the table. That’s motivation enough for the Villans for the Saturday match. Graham Poll, one of the better referees, would officiate this match. So, I hope this match is influenced more by the players than by Graham Poll despite his 4-cards-a-match average.

May be, I’m saying this once too often, I want Sheva to score. I wouldn’t mind if Drogba takes a day off from his frantic scoring run. That’s not because I like Sheva better than Drogba or something. It is just very good for the team, if Sheva scores. If gets more self-confidence, he can really really do wonders. It is not too good for the morale if Drogba scores in every match and Sheva does not. If he has done this in the league that favours top quality defensive football, I dont see why he cant do it in the slam bang Premiership. Let’s see if Sheva, who just turned 30 on Friday, is the one to score the 500th Premiership goal for Chelsea in the Bridge.

All other things being equal, we should win, even if it is a 1-0 and the one is a penalty.

Predictions for Saturday:

Bolton 0 – 2 Liverpool
Charlton 1 – 2 Arsenal
Chelsea 2 – 0 Aston Villa
Everton 1- 0 Man City
Sheff Utd 0 – 2 Middlesbrough