Villa v Chelsea preview

Blues take unbeaten record to Villa Park

By Andrew Scurr   Last updated: 31st August 2007

Frank Lampard Chelsea cheer

Lampard: Three goals this season

Skysports.com prediction: Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 2
Player to watch: Frank Lampard
Sky Bet odds: Aston Villa 4/1 Draw 11/5 Chelsea 4/6

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Aston Villa host Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1.

The Blues have begun the season with three wins from four and have already opened up a five-point gap between themselves and Manchester United in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Villa, however, have won just once in the league, although their first three points came last time out at home to Fulham and they followed it up with a 5-0 thumping of Wrexham in the Carling Cup in midweek.

Martin O'Neill's men have an excellent recent record in the league against Chelsea, having drawn each of the last three games between the two sides and not lost at home to the Londoners since 1999.

But victory for Chelsea on Sunday will give the Stamford Bridge side their 1,500th league win.

Big names missing

Jose Mourinho continues to be without Michael Ballack and Andrei Shevchenko due to ankle and back injuries respectively.

Both players have yet to be involved for Chelsea this season and are still sidelined.

Defenders Ricardo Carvalho (calf) and Wayne Bridge (hip) are also ruled out, with the latter still someway off returning.

Carson continues

On loan goalkeeper Scott Carson will continue to deputise for Thomas Sorensen, whose hamstring injury has not yet healed.

Midfielder Patrik Berger is also absent for Villa because of a hamstring complaint.