Sat 22nd Nov - Stamford Bridge
Last updated: 5th October 2008
Lampard: Too soon for Villa
I personally feel it may come too early for them this campaign.
Lampard on Villa's top four hopes
Quotes of the week
Chelsea's Frank Lampard has questioned whether Aston Villa have enough quality this season to break into the Premier League's top four.
While the England international believes Villa are a quality side, he thinks that competing in next season's UEFA Champions League may be a bridge too far.
Martin O'Neill's side are currently fourth in the table following a blistering start to the campaign, but Lampard says the two crucial things needed for them to stay there will not happen.
The former West Ham midfielder cannot see Villa being consistent enough to retain their lofty position or one of the current 'big four' dropping enough points for the Midlands outfit to take their place.
"They are a team looking to break into the top four and while I personally feel it may come too early for them this campaign, that won't prevent them from having a go," he told the Sunday Mirror.
"I accept you never say never but they will have to rely heavily on immense consistency while relying one of the top four to have a massive blip in form."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 26th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Bordeaux vs Chelsea |
| Sunday 30th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Chelsea vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 6th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Chelsea |
| Tuesday 9th December | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Chelsea vs CFR Cluj-Napoca |
| Sunday 14th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Chelsea vs West Ham |
| Friday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:00 | Chelsea vs West Brom |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 14:00 | Fulham vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Stoke |
| Wednesday 28th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Chelsea vs Middlesbrough |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Hull |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Wigan |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 0 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 15th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 0 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Wednesday 12th November | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Chelsea 1 - 1 Burnley | |
| Sunday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Tuesday 4th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Roma 3 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 5 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Wednesday 29th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Sunday 26th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Wednesday 22nd October | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Roma | |
| Saturday 18th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 5 Chelsea | |
| Sunday 5th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Aston Villa | |
| Wednesday 1st October | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| CFR Cluj-Napoca 0 - 0 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 27th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Wednesday 24th September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Portsmouth 0 - 4 Chelsea | |
| Sunday 21st September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 1 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Tuesday 16th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Chelsea 4 - 0 Bordeaux | |
| Saturday 13th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 1 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Sunday 31st August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 1 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Sunday 24th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 0 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Sunday 17th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 4 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 14 | 33 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 14 | 33 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 13 | 25 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 14 | 24 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 14 | 23 |
Pictures from a day when all the title hopefuls drew a blank and Man City bagged three against Arsenal.
Nicolas Anelka and Darren Bent lead the race for November's PFA 2UP Fans' Player of the Month award.
Chelsea manager Luis Felipe Scolari is still interested in taking Robinho to Stamford Bridge.
Luiz Felipe Scolari was left frustrated after his side were held to a goalless draw by Newcastle.
Man City dealt a hammer blow to Arsenal's fading title hopes as top three Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United were held.
Newcastle defended stoutly to hold Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea captain John Terry wants the Blues to bounce back from their defeat in Rome when they return to Europe.