Football: English Premier League
Wednesday 21 August 2013 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Chelsea
The Jose Mourinho second era at Stamford Bridge started off very brightly as Chelsea scored a couple of early goals and were creating chances at will against Hull City on Sunday. The game kind of settled down in the second half, but that could have been down to that being the first game of the season for the Blues and they play this game early as Chelsea are in European Super Cup action the week after next.It was a strong start for Chelsea who could also afford to miss a penalty in their win over Hull and they will be expected to make it maximum points ahead of the game at Old Trafford next Monday. Chelsea were strong at Stamford Bridge last season and Mourinho isn't used to losing in this stadium which could bode well to their chances of winning the Premier League this season.
Chelsea have now won 10 of their last 12 home games in all competitions going back to last season and the fans were fully behind the team and the manager, a big contrast to the atmosphere at the Bridge under Rafa Benitez.
Juan Mata didn't play on Sunday as he had been away with Spain in Ecuador, but he could be restored to the first team in this one. David Luiz is another that could be involved having missed the first game of the season and there are other options for Mourinho if he feels he wants to rotate his squad.
Aston Villa
The biggest surprise result from the first weekend in the Premier League was Aston Villa's impressive 1-3 win at Arsenal. Paul Lambert helped Villa escape relegation last season with a late run and he will be hoping his methods are recognised to get the best out of his team in the coming season. David Moyes may have been complaining about Manchester United's start to the new season, but Aston Villa would also feel disappointed as they play at Arsenal, at Chelsea and host Liverpool within seven days.Aston Villa ended a strong pre-season with that win at Arsenal and that should give them plenty of confidence ahead of this trip back to Stamford Bridge where they were hit 8-0 last season. Last season, Villa struggled against the sides that finished in the top six, losing 10 of 12 games and failing to win any game, but they have snapped that in impressive style and the fans will be hoping a big season is in the offing.
Keeping Christian Benteke proved to be a masterstroke for Paul Lambert as he responded with two goals on the opening day. Aston Villa have only lost 1 of their last 6 away games in the Premier League and the side have won 4 of those games.
Yacouba Sylla and Charles N'Zogbia are expected to miss out for the away side, but there are no new injury worries from the team that started on Saturday.
Head to Head
Chelsea did the double over Aston Villa last season, including that 8-0 win at Stamford Bridge, and the Blues have won 3 in a row against Villa.Chelsea have only won 4 of their last 8 home games in the Premier League against Aston Villa and they had failed to win their previous 2 at the Bridge against them before last season.
Prediction
Chelsea looked very strong on Sunday as they created chance after chance in the first half against Hull City, but Jose Mourinho wanted more from his side in the second half which was much more slowed down.The expectation will be that Chelsea will roll through Aston Villa, but the away side will want to show a much more resilient side to themselves after their heavy, embarrassing loss here last season.
Aston Villa will also have some space to exploit on the counter-attack and they do have a team with plenty of pace that could expose Chelsea in those positions. Hull City created a couple of half chances in the second half against Chelsea on Sunday and Villa could certainly trouble the scoreboard in this one.
Villa did fail to score at 4 of the top 5 last season, but they look a stronger side this time around and will have chances to grab something here. Both teams to score is an even money shot and I will back that on Wednesday night.
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