Chelsea v Aston Villa preview: Diego Costa returns to boost champions
Saturday 17 October 2015 16:24, UK
Chelsea entertain Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon looking to kick-start their stuttering campaign with a much-needed win.
Both sides head into this clash struggling near the foot of the Premier League, with the champions in an unfamiliar 16th position, while Tim Sherwood's men are below them in the relegation zone.
And the Blues - who welcome back striker Diego Costa from suspension - will be hoping to avoid back-to-back league defeats at home for the first time under boss Jose Mourinho following their 2-1 loss to Southampton last time out.
However, if Chelsea are to get back to winning ways, then they will need to tighten up at the back, with only relegation-threatened Sunderland having conceded more top-flight goals than Mourinho's side so far this season.
The visitors arrive in the capital though on the back of four successive league defeats, all by a one-goal margin, while a fifth could see them propping up the table by the end of the weekend.
Team news
Chelsea will be without defender Branislav Ivanovic after the Serbia international injured his hamstring while away on international duty last week and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remains sidelined with a knee problem.
Mourinho said he will consider Azpilicueta, Zouma, Ramires, or Ola Aina for a starting role as a consequence of this injury. He also added that Ruben Loftus-Cheek is ready to start this weekend.
Villa hope to have both Adama Traore and Gabriel Agbonlahor available again after ankle and calf injuries respectively.
However, this game has come too quickly for the likes of Ciaran Clark (thigh), Gary Gardner (foot) and Jores Okore (knee).
Opta stats
Twelve of the 23 teams to be 16th after eight Premier League games have been relegated, while no side has finished higher than fifth (Everton 2008/09).
Chelsea have conceded at least two goals in seven of their eight Premier League games this season (the other game was a 2-0 win against Arsenal).
Villa have not kept a Premier League clean sheet at Stamford Bridge since March 1998, conceding 30 times in their last eight at the west London venue.
Sherwood's side have scored in their last nine away league games; the longest current run in the top-flight.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have scored in their last 23 home league matches; also the longest current run of its kind in the Premier League.
Merson's prediction
The perfect game for Chelsea to bounce back, but I said that for the Southampton game a fortnight ago. Here I'd really expect them to win though, and easily.
Villa are in a spot of bother at the moment, but I believe Tim Sherwood should be given time, I don't see any point in sacking him. But they haven't had the hardest start, and now they have some really tough games to contend with. Tim just needs to get those new players gelling more, they haven't hit the ground running.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
Most popular Super 6 prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa (34 per cent)
Betting
Sky Bet make Villa 8/1 shots to follow in the footsteps of Southampton and Crystal Palace and win at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are 1/3 to record only their third league win of the season, with the draw a 4/1 shot.
Both managers are under pressure with Mourinho 6/1 and Sherwood the 6/4 favourite to be the next manager to leave.
The Blues have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning the last three and scoring 13 goals in the process, and are 11/8 to score three goals or more.
They have also conceded at least two goals in seven of their eight league matches and Villa are 4/1 to extend that run.
