What: English Premier League
Who: Aston Villa vs Chelsea
When: Saturday 9th May, 2013, at 12:45 UK Time
Where: Villa Park, Birmingham, England

Safety In Sight For Aston Villa

A fortnight ago Aston Villa seemed cut adrift in the battle against relegation along with Wigan. Now there is a chance they could even finish the season in the top half of the table. That fact underlines just how close this campaign’s relegation dogfight is, and it is for that reason that Paul Lambert’s men cannot let up yet. With two matches to go, it is still possible that any one of eight teams could be relegated.

A 6-1 win over Sunderland was a major turning point for a team who have bristled with promise all season, but ultimately lacked the experience and know-how to get the results their performances have always deserved. The 8-0 defeat to Chelsea back in December highlighted the biggest concerns for Aston Villa – with so much youth and inexperience, they simply did not know how to handle being so thoroughly outplayed and ended up getting hammered in a way their main relegation rivals probably wouldn’t.

The win over Sunderland indicated that this team have learned a lot this season and are clicking best just when it matters most. The decision making of Lambert’s side is improving every week and if the season went on for another half dozen games, few would expect them to be relegated. But that danger remains very much real – and is why they need another positive result this weekend to keep them safe.

Nervous Chelsea Edge Towards Champions League

Chelsea come into this game knowing that a win should effectively secure Champions League football next season. And on the face of it, if they were going to choose any team to achieve that win against, they would probably take a side they thumped 8-0 just a few months ago.

However, there is still plenty of room for nerves at Stamford Bridge after the concession of yet another equaliser in yet another 2-2 draw for Chelsea against Tottenham during the week. The Blues are now two points clear of Arsenal and three of Tottenham. Whilst a win will be enough, games away to Aston Villa – who are in great form – and at home to Everton are hardly straightforward.

Rafael Benitez must ensure that he is now able to guide Chelsea safely over the line and to that all important top four spot. Chelsea have given up so many leads in matches this season to late equalisers and there is a clear danger of their campaign as a whole becoming typical of so many of their individual games – filled with some wonderful football, but ultimately falling short in the final moments. Benitez has being intelligently rebuilding his reputation at Chelsea and has the know-how to see them through – but it could end up being uncomfortably close.
 

Recent form

Aston Villa:
Manchester United 3-0 Aston Villa (22/04; Premier League)
Aston Villa 6-1 Sunderland (29/04; Premier League)
Norwich City 1-2 Aston Villa (04/05; Premier League)

Chelsea:
Chelsea 3-1 Basel (02/05; Europa League)
Manchester United 0–1 Chelsea (05/05; Premier League)
Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur (08/05; Premier League)

Key absences

Aston Villa: Karim El Ahmadi (doubt); Ciaran Clark (doubt); Marc Albrighton; Richard Dunne

Chelsea: John Mikel Obi (doubt); Ryan Bertrand (doubt); Marko Marin (doubt); Oriol Romeu

Players to watch

Aston Villa – Christian Benteke: The Belgian scored a hat-trick in his last game at Villa Park against Sunderland and this match could be his last at the club. Such has been his impact this season, bigger clubs will circle around the powerful forward, who can cement his growing reputation with another stirring performance. His strength and power will keep Branislav Ivanovic busy and ensure Chelsea’s backline has anything but a quiet day.

Chelsea – Eden Hazard: Chelsea’s Belgian signing of last summer has enjoyed a fruitful first year in the Premier League, scoring nine goals and setting up nine more. At times he has been quiet and unable to influence games as much as he would like, but Hazard has been in superb form recently for Chelsea. Brimming with confidence, Hazard’s tricky play and understanding with Juan Mata has been the highlight of his team’s troubled season. Liable to produce a moment of brilliance out of nothing, Aston Villa will have to watch him closely.

Match Prediction

Both of these teams will line up knowing that a win should be enough to secure their respective targets for the end of the season. But being so close to the top four and safety respectively, there may be an element of caution about their play at Villa Park.

Aston Villa have shown plenty of flair of late, but face possibly their toughest test since they last met Chelsea as they bid to deal with the threat of Oscar, Mata and Hazard. That trio showed some more sublime skill and understanding against Tottenham in midweek and given their age Chelsea’s midfield will strike fear into Premier League defences for years to come.

Chelsea have been disjointed tactically though for much of the season, the two more defensive midfielders unable to really produce effective link play with Oscar, Mata and Hazard. Aston Villa will look to attack with pace and skill, and the speed of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann could cause problems for a questionable Chelsea defence. Christian Benteke alongside them should be able to help find the target, but the question is whether they can keep Chelsea out at the other end. Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea.

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