Venue: Villa Park Date: Saturday 11th May K/o: 12:45 BST
Team News
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is expected to name virtually the same starting 11 that featured in last Saturday's 2-1 win over Norwich City as his side prepare to welcome Chelsea to Villa Park this weekend. The only change to the side that won that all important game could be the omission of Matt Lowton, who limped out that day. He could again be replaced by Lichaj. Marc Albrighton (ankle), Richard Dunne (groin), Gary Gardner (ACL) and Chris Herd (ankle) all remain sidelined. Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez is expected to hand recalls to the likes of Frank Lampard, John Terry, Victor Moses and Demba Ba and rest the likes of Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres ahead of next Wednesday's Europa League cup final. Ryan Bertrand (knee), Jon Obi Mikel (hand) and Hazard (calf) are all injury concerns, but Oriol Romeu has recovered from his long layoff with a knee injury and could make the squad.
Key Stats
Chelsea have won on two of their last four Premier League trips to Villa Park, dropping points with a draw and a defeat in the other two. Aston Villa however have been disappointing on home soil recently having won just three times over their last 11 home matches in the league, losing six and drawing two. Chelsea have scored more headed goals than anyone else in the league this season; Oscar's header against Tottenham was their sixteenth of the campaign. Chelsea inflicted Aston Villas biggest ever Premier League defeat when the two teams met just before Christmas, cantering to an 8-0 win. This would be the last time Fernando Torres scored in the Premier League for Chelsea, with the Spaniard currently without a league goal in 2013. (
Goal.com)
Likely Line-Ups
Aston Villa Guzan, Lichaj, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett, Westwood, Delph, Sylla, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann
Chelsea Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Ramires, Moses, Mata, Oscar, Ba
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