Frank Lampard loves playing against Aston Villa. He has scored 13 Premier League goals versus Aston Villa – more than against any other team. And of course who could forget last season, a season otherwise blighted by Rafa Benitez tenure, when Frank scored the two goals that broke the goal scoring record for Chelsea. SCENES as they say on twitter! Who would bet against him scoring again tomorrow, if selected of course!
Listen to the interview with Stamford Chidge on talkSPORT Sports Bar previewing the Aston Villa v Chelsea game. Click Here (21 minutes in)
In terms of selection, Fernando Torres could feature despite pulling out of last weekend’s 4-0 win over Tottenham because of a groin problem, whilst defenders David Luiz and Ashley Cole remain sidelined by injury. Aston Villa’s on-loan Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand is ineligible for the visit of his parent club Chelsea of course, and Joe Bennett or Antonio Luna are likely to deputise, although manager Paul Lambert may opt to recall Ciaran Clark as one of three central defenders.
Chelsea have gone 14 Premier League games unbeaten, taking 36 points out of a possible 42 (W11, D3), with the best defence in the top flight conceding only five goals along the way. With JT leading from the front at the back, back to his best together with Petr Cech the defensive unit looks solid and settled. This is the hallmark of any great Mourinho team as we discussed on the Chelsea FanCast last week. In addition the blossoming of Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back in preference to Ashley Cole is now looking like a typical Jose touch of genius. Chelsea have kept nine clean sheets in their last 13 Premier League matches and conceded only four goals in that period. They’ll need to watch out for Christian Benteke though, who has scored five goals in his last eight league matches, doubling his tally for the season. He has scored in each of his last two appearances against Chelsea.
Our season long weaknesses up front seem to have partly been resolved if the stats are to be believed as the goals have been flowing with seven in the last two games, three of them from the ‘terrible trio’ up front.
If there is one area of concern it appears to be that our performances in the first half seem sluggish or go down blind alleys. No matter, continuing to win when not playing well is the mark of a championship winning side in the making, plus pulling it together in the second half shows character and the tactical 
nous of Jose Mourinho of course! The Blues have gained 14 points this season from losing positions. Aston Villa (13 points) have the next best record; both sides have come from behind to win four matches.
Talking of Mourinho, and one to get you a bit jittery, Villa Park is the only ground which Jose has not won at as Chelsea boss! His overall record vs Aston Villa: Played-9, Won-4, Drawn-4, Lost-1. Aston Villa’s only win in the last five meetings at Villa Park came in October 2009. Chelsea have won the last four Premier League meetings, scoring 16 goals. It is their best top-flight winning run against Villa. The record away to Aston Villa (all comps): Played-70, Won-17, Drawn-20, Lost-33, For-95, Against-126.
For the record, the biggest win away to Aston Villa was on 17th September 1966 (and no I wasn’t there!): Aston Villa 2 (Tony Hateley, Johnny MacLeod) Chelsea 6 (Bobby Tambling x5, Johnny Boyle) . The biggest ever defeat away to Aston Villa was on 15th April 1952: Aston Villa 7 (Johnny Dixon, Billy Goffin x3, Colin Gibson x2, David Walsh) Chelsea 1 (Jimmy Smith).
And of course, lest we forget, last season’s result away to Villa on 11th May 2013 was Aston Villa 1 (Benteke) Chelsea 2 (Lampard x2). Let’s hope we get the same or better tomorrow.
Win or Lose up the Blues!!
