Chelsea look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League standings this weekend as they welcome the visit of Aston Villa.
Chelsea started the season as pre-season favourites for the title and they have started in that fashion. Last weekend’s draw against Man City came from a performance that didn’t see Chelsea at the fluid best – bar their excellent counter attacking goal – and stems well for the rest of the season.
Aston Villa have surprised many people with their start to the season that has seen them obtain 10 points from a possible 15. Their spell of fixtures ahead of them meant that good start was pivotal with Chelsea, Man City and Everton, following last week’s match against Arsenal.
Key Players
Diego Costa
Since his move to west London, Diego Costa has continued his goal scoring form that helped Atletico Madrid to win La Liga last season and made Chelsea spend £30m on him.
Being a player that fits the mould of a Mourinho leading man perfect, Costa has scored 7 goals in 5 league matches as he bullies every defence he has faced. A conversion rate of 43.75% is very impressive and Aston Villa will need a defensive master class to stop the Spanish international in current form.
Fabian Delph
After recently receiving a well deserved England call up, Fabian Delph is a big part of Aston Villa’s team and offers cover to the defensive line.
Delph’s energy around the pitch will important to stop the overwhelming attacks of Chelsea attacking four – the former Leeds midfielder has made 8 tackles this season as well as 5 interceptions. Also normally being calm in possession, Delph’s passing accuracy of 79.5% shows that he has had a slow start to the season in this aspect and will need to return the previous form of 87.9% and 83.65 in previous seasons.
Team News
Chelsea only have no injury issue with Ramires ruled out with a groin injury.
Aston Villa on the other have had an illness epidemic with Delph, Guzan, Baker, Bent. Weimann, and Westwood all suffering, but could return this weekend. Ron Vlaar could see return after a calf injury ruled him out of the last two matches.
Interesting Stats
Often called out as dull and negative by opposition fans, Chelsea had a impenetrable defence at times last season. This campaign however has seen only 1 clean sheet in 7 matches (in all competitions) for the Blues.
In the last 6 seasons, Aston Villa have been beaten 4 times at Stamford Bridge with two fixtures seeing them concede 7 and 8 in separate matches.
Betting Tip
Cesc Fabregas has enjoyed an incredible return to the Premier League and has already assisted 6 goals, while creating 18 chances.
For Fabregas to add another assist to his tally is 2.20 with Tailorbet.
Prediction
Chelsea’s’ performance at Stamford Bridge against the weaker sides is often almost machine like with the ultimate control of possession and patiently probing until an explosive stage that teams that deal with. This will be the order if the day on Saturday and Aston Villa could suffer a similar defeat to last week’s.
