The term ‘bogey team’ comes to mind when you talk about Aston Villa. They are not the toughest opponents we could face but we have always found it more difficult to beat them than any other team. We haven’t won at Villa park for God knows how many seasons. Anyway, this match tomorrow is at Stamford Bridge. Do you know that fact that the only team that got 4 points in two matches against us last season was Aston Villa?

Aston Villa are a very good team but Chelsea should no way be worried. What can cause a worry is some of the first teamers are injured and some have niggles. Deco, Drogba and Carvalho are still out. Alex and Ashley Cole are doubtful. Terry would play and Joe Cole could come back. I wonder where Joe Cole would play. He has no place unless Scolari benches Kalou. If we play 4-3-3, Kalou is a better bet to play on the wings than Joe Cole. If it’s a 4-1-4-1, Joe Cole might get the nod. In any case, if Joe Cole plays, and if he is crap, I don’t want to tolerate that for all of 75 minutes before Kalou is introduced. Felipao should start making changes bit early than the traditional 60th or 70th minute. That way players will know, he means business.

The current injury table puts Anelka firmly on the first team. If Felipao thinks otherwise, hats off to him. I have no more faith in Anelka. I hope scores so much that I will eat the humble pie right here in this blog. I’d even write a dedicated post apologising to Anelka, the goal machine. So far, it appears that Anelka has to write an apology note to all fans and the club. Sometimes, when he is up front, I feel like we are playing 4-3-2 and the opponent plays 5-4-2. Remember that last gasp chance against Cluj that fell at his feet with about 8 yards from goal? Perfect clearance from Anelka. I think Cluj defenders shook hands with him for sharing their workload. All right, I’ll leave Anelka alone. Poor guy, some times I feel for him. Hope he gets back to his glory days.

Villa are quick. And we don’t normally wake up until the 30th minute. Now that’s a dangerous combination. That’s what happened against Man Utd. They were quick and before we could find our feet (at Stamford Bridge, sadly), they scored. Villa too, would plan to do that way. The best time to score against Chelsea is the first half hour. After that Chelsea becomes so solid and strong, it virtually becomes near impossible to score without taking too much risk. The first half hour will be crucial. If we don’t trail by the 30th minute, I’d watch the match at peace.

Some people say that the home league record is becoming some sort of a burden on us and thus results in home draws. Well, I was saying that last season. This season, I don’t have that feeling. If the record has to go, I don’t want that to be broken by a top four team. If someone has to beat us this season at home, I don’t mind if it’s on Sunday. One is, the defeat won’t come later in the league and it will not be by enriching a top four team. But the thing is, I don’t want us to lose because it would free us at home or something. That’s what we must have thought after the first season and second season and look how far we’ve come!

See, we’ve drawn two games at home so far. One is against Man Utd. That’s not a bad result. Ask Fergie, if they hold us at Old Trafford, he’d call it a good result. The other match was against Tottenham. That’s bad considering where they are at the moment. Spurs can always make a come back and still finish well. Remember, there are 32 more matches to go. So, I wouldn’t be alarmed yet, by these two draws in three home games that included title rivals clash against the defending champions. Not as bad as losing two matches already including a home defeat against Hull City. Chill out. We’ll beat Villa.

While I say we’ll beat Villa, I can’t help wondering where the goals would come from. Lampard or Ballack could score but under Scolari, we don’t seem to set them Lampard/Ballack for the screamers. They attempt one only by chance. It’s no longer a game plot. This means the goals are expected from the forwards and the midfielders are only expected to set up the forwards. Malouda is in fine form so he can score. Kalou can, but he is a hit or miss. Anelka is a miss. Belletti? My bet is, it’s going to be Malouda and Lampard on the scoresheet. My prediction would be 2-1 to Chelsea.

To you fellow-gamers! FIFA 09, supposedly the best football game ever, was released yesterday. As it won’t be release in India for some weeks, I had a mate buying it for me in London and I’d get it in a couple of days. FIFA 09 has received some fantastic reviews with ratings ranging from a 9/10 to 10/10. The demo was very exciting. And the final game is supposed to be brilliant and far better than the demo. I’ll post my FIFA 09 review next weekend. Great topic during the international break!

In other key matches, Arsenal travel to Stadium of Light, Man Utd travel to Ewood park – both matches played today. On Sunday, Liverpool play Man City at the Middle Eastlands. I expect Sunderland to hold Arsenal, Man Utd to beat Blackburn and Man City to beat Liverpool. The league is sure to be rearranged by Sunday evening but if we beat Villa, our place will remain the same. Now you know, there are enough reasons to get motivated for this match. It’s time to do a double against Villa. At the moment, we are treating them or
they are playing us, like a top four team. We should stop their run, now.