We didn't do great against Chelsea last season. In fact we picked up nothing, but the games, if I remember right, were decent. The season before we were better and picked up four points and I fancy this game on Saturday will be a good one that we could get something from.

You see, we play better against the better teams. Not because we need the challenge, but it is how we are set up to play. We struggle against the lesser teams because we don't know how to play against them, sorry, that is wrong, it's not that we don't how to play, it's that we don't have the players to play against them and our style is very geared up to counter attacking football.

Which is why we do better against the better teams. The better teams look for the goals and we can counter and deal with their attacking. The other teams sit back and we struggle breaking them down because we don't have the quality.

This is why I'm predicting three points on Saturday and why we rarely get thumped by the Sky four. Yes, we have had our fair few thumpings from them, but mostly from Manchester United and we've also done quite well against the others.

Not including this season, we've picked up six points from Chelsea and Arsenal since O'Neill took over and three from Liverpool (including the three from this season would make it six also). Okay, our one point from a possible eighteen against United is a bitter pill, but not many teams pick up points against Manchester United and they are also much more adaptable than most other teams.

But Chelsea are Chelsea and if you wanted a demonstration of how persistence pays then this is the team to watch and of the top four, one of the easiest to play against. The thing is, while you sort of know what they are going to do before the game starts their quality is just so hard to play against and they will create opportunities and they will likely score.

But, there isn't a better manager in the league than Martin O'Neill at getting his players to do exactly what he wants them to do and we are stronger than last season and we have better players than we did last season.

Talking about players, there is a good chance that we will see Luke Young back for Saturday which will likely mean Carlos is on the bench, which possibly means Beye isn't. With Warnock at left back, it is a pretty strong defence and if we play with an extra man in midfield or ask Carew to come back into midfield again, then it will be hard for Chelsea.

Key men for me on Saturday are going to be, once again, Webcam, Milner and Gabby. Webcam and Milner will track back and Gabby will be working those channels and as long as we create the chances we will always score, it's just going to be a case of scoring more than Chelsea, because as I said above, they will likely score too.

I also know that this next part is a bit of a cliché but it really is true; Villa Park needs to be loud. This twelfth man thing is used by all clubs these days but it is used because it works. Maybe it only gives 1% but 1% from five or 10 different places makes a difference and could very well be the difference on Saturday.

So, I'm having a tenner on Villa because we are 3/1 and I think PaddyPower are making a mistake.

Comments (56)

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HT Sweden said:

... Drogba will obviously score a late goal in each half, so we better score three

Comment 1, made on October 14, 2009 at 9.39 am

Andi said:

... Woohoo cant wait for the game Saturday, i just hope the atmosphere is as good as Man City, it should be its a big game and the fans come out for big games. On to the game it self, I think we could see 4-5-1 if Gabby plays the whole game tonight as Oneil wont want to burn him out but we could see him second half or even see the Fonz. Personally I would like us to go 4-4-2 as we did against city and take it to them. I hope coker or delph is picked infront of sidwell but doubt it worrying thing is he has said he is going to score our goals which means he will be out of position all the time. I can see 3 points if we take it to them and we play like we did against City. I would just ask that MON if Ash or Milner get injured replace them with Albrighton and not Coker, if Carew gets tired after working his behind off for 70mins bring on the Fonz and not the MULE. Lets take it to them Villa we can beat this lot !! Brad Young Collins Dunne Warnock Milner Coker/Delph Petrov Young Gabby/Fonz Carew or Brad Young Collins Dunne Warnock Milner Delph Coker/Salifou Young Carew 2-1 to the mighty Villa Collins will have another stormer. Fingers crossed everyone gets back from internationals with no injuries

Comment 2, made on October 14, 2009 at 9.42 am

Andi said:

... Damian -- Just re read the post loving the bit for the call for the fans to be the twelth man, can you continue to add that to every post at the bottom everyday till kick off we are going to need to be behind the team sat and the 12th man is going to be needed

Comment 3, made on October 14, 2009 at 9.46 am

Panos said:

... Good post Damian and I like our chances to win this one too. Although, we were played off the park last season against them at VP. We were very poor, especially in the first half, probably one of the worst performances during last season.

Comment 4, made on October 14, 2009 at 9.50 am

Damian said:

... Chiefy Might do that ... good idea, you never know.

Comment 5, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.07 am

Andi said:

... Damian -- i just think you have the power to create the feeling and the vibe so because of how many people oyu can appeal to it could be the catalyst to get Villa Park thumping again

Comment 6, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.13 am

Andi said:

... Damian -- just went to put in the group on face book and you already there, your quick

Comment 7, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.15 am

HT Sweden said:

... If i remember correct the crowd against Man C was about 37500. Why wasn´t it a sell-ut, anyone ??

Comment 8, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.17 am

dan said:

... Should be a stormer of a game, I for one am going to be there.. But there are tickets still available and if I remember man city wasn't a sell out so for whoever isn't going grab a ticket started from 20pounds if I'm correct. Predication Villa 3 - 2 Chelsea I think we may see more out of young this match making him my key man.

Comment 9, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.20 am

dan said:

... starting from 20 pounds

Comment 10, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.21 am

Andi said:

... HT Sweden - i would assume it was because it was a Monday nighter

Comment 11, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.21 am

Richard Dunne my lord, Richard Dunne!! said:

... Carew has to be dropped for the Chelsea game and replaced by Reo. If we have any chance of winning this game, we need to win the centre of midfield and with Petrov, Reo and Sidwell (I would prefer to have Delph but MON's new bum chum, won't be dropped) in there we have a chance. If he plays Carew again, with him dropping deep (?!?!?!?!) we will struggle and I think may lose. Would be great to see L Young back as well. We've missed him more than people think. He was my player of the year last year, in a team that finished 6th, so he must be some player! Also, with Drogba etc having travelled thousands of miles this week, there is no better time to play them, especially as it's early on the Saturday!!

Comment 12, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.25 am

Andi said:

... How can you say "if he plays Carew there we could lose" if we go by the evidence Carew played well and we drew with Man City who many pundits expected to beat us i dont think that comment is fair on the Big Man he had a great game and would not mind him doing that again rather that than Sidwell to be honest

Comment 13, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.32 am

Damian said:

... But, maybe you could argue had we played a proper five man midfield, we could have got something out of the Man City game .. I'm not saying we would, but we have picked up more points this season playing a five man midfield with five midfielders 12th man wallpaper coming I hope soon ...

Comment 14, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.35 am

Andi said:

... Damian -- Genius, as for Carew you could argue that we are more of a threat from set pieces and going forward with the big man on that if we had Coker ( cant shoot ) Petrov ( doesnt get chance ) Sidwell ( goes missing ) So in effect even though we line up with 5 in midfield if sidwell is in there that is actually a 4 man midfield and one of them cant pass or shoot and is just a nusiance

Comment 15, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.38 am

Richard Dunne my lord, Richard Dunne!! said:

... What is it with Carew being hailed as a hero and gets praise for very averages performances? I agree he "could" be world class and has all the attributes but I can count on one hand the amount of games he has been at that standard. Just goes missing too much for my liking, doesn't use his power and strength enough and will never get us 20 goals a season. Carew could not touch the ball all game and just stand on the half way line and people would still give him a 7 out of 10.

Comment 16, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.43 am

Deano-avfc said:

... HT Sweden- A mixture of the game being on tv and people probably not being able to afford the £35. The 1st half was one of the best I've seen there in ages, everyone got behind the Villa. We really do need to match that every game, I think that because were playing the likes of Pompey etc..we just think were going to win and not bother getting behind the team, If the fans are fired up the players get fired up. I'm predicting a 2-1 home victory.. James Milner and a suprising 20 yarder from Steve Sidwell, who I think will keep his place because he goes out with MON's daughter apparently. Its your round my lord.. UTV

Comment 17, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.45 am

Deano-avfc said:

... Ignore that spiel about Sidwell and MON's daughter, I've just Wikied it and it's incorrect, the guy in the Holte end must have been yanking my chain. UTV

Comment 18, made on October 14, 2009 at 10.49 am

Christian Louboutin Sale said:

... Ignore that spiel about Sidwell and MON's daughter, I've just Wikied it and it's incorrect, the guy in the

Comment 19, made on October 14, 2009 at 11.28 am

Lee morris said:

... Sidwell has to start!! I'm not his biggest fan but it's a fact that we rarely lose when he starts! Also against his old club he could well pop up with a winner in the 89th minute! Is it too soon for young or is it too big a game for his 1st of the season?? Not sure.... 2-1 villa. Milner and sidders!! I wish.

Comment 20, made on October 14, 2009 at 11.38 am

Mike Carter said:

... Gabby to start up front for England tonight. I fancy him to grab a goal or two.

Comment 21, made on October 14, 2009 at 11.51 am

Andi said:

... Richard Dunne - i think you have gone slighlty far with that i dont think he would get 7 out of 10 for standing on the half way line but give credit where credit is due. Mozza -- Sidwell has to start what ?? turning up, acutally being noticed during a game. The Emule seems to have infected certain players with Heskyitus and unfortunatly Sidwell has caught it. Even though NRC cant pass, shoot and struggles to run with the ball he makes more difference and cause more problems than Sidwell, and judging by Sidwell's comments in the mail about scoring goals that will mean he is on a mission and he wont be where he should be because he now wants to score. Discispline is needed in this game thats why NRC is the best bet he will do as he is told which is be a pain, Sidwell wont he will disapear for after ten minutes pop up with a chance miss it and disapear again

Comment 22, made on October 14, 2009 at 11.53 am

John Samuels said:

... To be honest, if Sidwell is invisible in games anyway what difference will it makes if he goes looking for a goal. It could be the winning goal if he manages to carve out a chance. Remember guys, we haven't lost a game playing 4-5-1 with sidders in it.

Comment 23, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.05 pm

Andi said:

... JPA -- i understand that but does that mean yi]ou keep playing him even though he does nothing ?? if that is the case then lets get the Mule on and keep playing him

Comment 24, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.08 pm

Keith said:

... Chiefy Sidwell ahead of NRC any day. If we play 4-5-1 then Siddders will be able to play a more attacking role. The direct way Villa play bypasses the centre of midfield, we attack by balls for Gabby to chase or via the wings. And as for your comment that NRC is disciplined? Really?

Comment 25, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.08 pm

Andi said:

... keefvilla - i take your point but i would only say NRC is better defensively Blues game sidwell was missing for most of the game then popped up missed a chance then disapeared. I meant NRC does his job on the field he is a pain he breaks up play what does sidwell do or what did he do against the blues ? not sure i would rather play delp to be honest but we know sidwell will get the nod, 4-4-2 is best opption take it to them like we did city

Comment 26, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.13 pm

Keith said:

... Chiefy Yes NRC is a pain, a pain in the arse when he constantly loses possession and demonstrates his ability to miss hit shots and give away needless freekicks. With NRC and Petrov in the middle would who do you think would break forward and create or take chances? I know Sidwell has been disappointing since we signed him, but he is the best option we have at the moment.

Comment 27, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.17 pm

Andi said:

... Keefvilla -- ok i will go with you on this one as to be honest and if we are honest they are both pants really and we need a new one, but i have a master plan i might email MON, Get Salifou on that will suprise them

Comment 28, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.25 pm

Chris Harper said:

... Keef, is NRC really a pain in the arse?!? I think 2-1 to Villa with Heskey scoring an Overhead kick 89th minute to win it for us! (Harewood style)

Comment 29, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.27 pm

John Samuels said:

... Three in midfield and NRC and Sidders for me. Sidwell against his old club so I want a performance out of him and I have a few concerns about Delph's physical presence against Chelsea. They have some big lads in midfield i.e Essien, Ballack, Lampard and Mikel and I think this game may be little too 'big' for the young lad. Sidders and NRC is the safer option, although I would be quite happy with Carew dropping back into midfield again. We need a physical presence in there, the last thing we need is Chelsea winning the ball in midfield from goal kicks etc and having someone to win and flick the ball on for us would be a bonus. I can see Gabby giving their defence the run around and I think if Bosingwa plays Ash may get some joy in behind him as he's not the most disciplined defensively. I have high hopes for this game as I really think we have enough to cause them some real problems. it's going to be a huge challenge for the lads at the back, but big performances from Dunne, Collins and Brad will hopefully keep them out enough for us to nick all three points. I think we'll concede so we'll just have to score more than them.

Comment 30, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.32 pm

Chris Harper said:

... with Carew dropping back into midfield again I think we might well see this again because Carew said how much he loved being 'the hard man' in Midfield against Man City.

Comment 31, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.35 pm

Deano-avfc said:

... ha ha just imagine, Heskey scores the winner in the 89th min, do you think people on here would still give him stick? Don't know about the overhead kick though, that would take some effort from the big man. I'm having a bet on 2.1 to us, must be 8's or 9's. UTV

Comment 32, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.37 pm

Keith said:

... Villa_Chris You can't resist getting your own back can you?

Comment 33, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.39 pm

Andi said:

... Villa_Chris -- the mule scoring an overhead kick is as likely as Salifou coming on and scoring a maradona style goal in the 90th minute, collecting the ball in our half and skinning lampard, essien, mikel, alex, Terry twice and then hammering it in from 20yards into the top corner and Celabrating by crowd surfing in the holte end ! although it does sound a good plan

Comment 34, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.40 pm

Keith said:

... Villa_Chris "I think we might well see this again because Carew said how much he loved being 'the hard man' in Midfield against Man City." And you know a thing or two about 'hard' men dnt you?

Comment 35, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.42 pm

Keith said:

... Chiefy Salifou is more than capable of punching the ball into the back of the net!

Comment 36, made on October 14, 2009 at 12.47 pm

Chris Harper said:

... Funny Keef! Chiefy, don't be so ridiculous!...... Salifou doesn't have to skin anybody to get to the goal, they will have already ran away from him, he scares the living daylight out of opposition. My Team fo Saturday: Friedel ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___Salifou ___ ___ ___ ___ 0-1-0 Formation.

Comment 37, made on October 14, 2009 at 1.02 pm

jerry said:

... if that is the case then lets get the Mule on and keep playing him Problem is, Chiefy, we don't keep winning when he plays. With Sidwell, we do.

Comment 38, made on October 14, 2009 at 1.02 pm

Andi said:

... yes i understand that churchill but the thinking behind it is the same Sidwell does nothing coinsidence we win, Mule does nothing so why dont we keep playing him ? england do it. to save arguing i think that NRC and Sidwell need replacing sooner rather than later and the coinsidence of Sidwell being in a winning team will not be all we have to rely on to keep playing someone Villa_Chris -- I dont think your even need Brad Salifou can play rush keeper

Comment 39, made on October 14, 2009 at 1.05 pm

jerry said:

... ha ha just imagine, Heskey scores the winner in the 89th min, do you think people on here would still give him stick? In order to do that, O'Neill would have to play him off the bench. Picture it if you can, 70th minute and Heskey pulls off his tracksuit preparing to come on. The booing and catcalling would be horrendous. The ground would erupt in a spasm of hatred. Look at the comments here and in the press. Heskey in Saturday's squad could cause immense problems for the team. I don't think he'll play him - at all, on Sat.

Comment 40, made on October 14, 2009 at 1.12 pm

jerry said:

... Mule does nothing so why dont we keep playing him ? england do it. The gods have made their decision. It's fart fate.

Comment 41, made on October 14, 2009 at 1.14 pm

Chris Harper said:

... The gods have made their decision. It's fart fate.

Comment 42, made on October 14, 2009 at 1.31 pm

Andi said:

... Churchill -- The gods wanna make their decision and ship him out get him of the food wage bill

Comment 43, made on October 14, 2009 at 1.40 pm

Steve Badger said:

... Picture it if you can, 70th minute and Heskey pulls off his tracksuit preparing to come on. The booing and catcalling would be horrendous. The ground would erupt in a spasm of hatred. And one of his ankles would probably erupt in a spasm of pain as soon as he starts to warm up Good job he's a mule because if he was a horse, he'd be shot

Comment 44, made on October 14, 2009 at 2.16 pm

Andi said:

... Badger -- If he was a horse he would be shot

Comment 45, made on October 14, 2009 at 2.38 pm

Jon said:

... Churchill - I agree entirely - either he'll be in the squad and not play, or else he'll contract a 'niggle' on international duty..bit like Carew's bad back or whatever it was...

Comment 46, made on October 14, 2009 at 2.41 pm

Mozza on iPhone said:

... Chiefy - I'm not saying reo shouldn't start! It has to be stan, reo and sidders like it or not they are our strongest in that position! Jpa and keef - both spot on! Again. Delph will b quality but as everyone else has stated "not yet". Will need 3 in the middle to compete with the chelski 'diamond' young or cuellar??

Comment 47, made on October 14, 2009 at 2.41 pm

Andi said:

... MON is a legend he has told skysports that he has nothing to say on the Emule thing allow he should concentrate on performing at club level as the world cup is not next week or before xmas and a lot will change by the time it comes and there are proper players with proper ambitions to be there like young, milner, downing, gabby. He said he will stil down and have a think about it. So Emule stick that in your horse bag and eat that you lazy lump consider yourself told !

Comment 48, made on October 14, 2009 at 2.44 pm

robb david said:

... sorry but i just cant predict a win against chelsea. we could sneak it if we play 451, coker, petrov, sidwell in the middle. I would suggest if we play thaat a 1-1 or 2-2 draw, we could steal a win. any other formation/team and i can only predict a loss. also if we see hesky on the pitch at any stage, also a loss.

Comment 49, made on October 14, 2009 at 3.42 pm

tubbydunne said:

... Ceullar will start against Chelsea, he has done nothing wrong and won't be dropped A draw against Chelsea would be a great result. Seriously look at their quality all over the pitch compared to ours. We are improving steadily but are a good way off Chelsea. Look at the match ups Drogba and Anelka or Gabby and Carew who would you have in your team I won't even compare midfield and our defence is solid but they still have more quality and attacking flair and pace in the full back positions. a draw would be a fantastic result

Comment 50, made on October 14, 2009 at 5.20 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... I always expect a point or three against Chelsea, this is no exception. It has been a while since we scored a few goals in one game, time for a rampant goal charge. One from a defender at a corner, one from midfield (Sidders or Stan) two from Gabby and JC. Bring it on.

Comment 51, made on October 14, 2009 at 5.21 pm

Tony Dunn said:

... We didn't pick anything up last year because we played two in CM (and a low energy pairing in Stan and Barry as well) against their three and Mikel had acres of space every time they were in possession and was an easy out ball. This also allowed them to kill the game after they had gone a goal up at VP. We beat them the season before becasue LM was able to drop in when they had possession and cancel out Makalele. On the evidence of the Man City game I don't think JC can do this and be a threat up top - he doesn't look fit enough for this. It has to be a 4-5-1 with NRC and Sidders. I would add Delph to the the two of them instead of Stan but MON would never do this.

Comment 52, made on October 14, 2009 at 5.27 pm

ruffy said:

... Gotta love your optimism guys but if you wanna make any money back Chelsea 1-0, 2-0 and the HT/FT result as Draw/Chelsea. I hope we beat em too but I suspect that the freak result at Anfield will be our only pts against the top4 for a while.

Comment 53, made on October 15, 2009 at 9.35 am

Nix2 said:

... Gabby will run the life ouch of the Chelsea defence, thing is who keeps running at them when he's knackered, which he will be from touring on international duty. My money is on Milner, Young and Carew all to score, giving Gabby two assists. Milner has a point to prove after the post incident on Wednesday. Young has a place to fight for and an opportunity to play for it. Carew just scores often enough to remind you he's there. On the Sidwell debate, consider this. When he played with Reading he was immense, the partnership and goals between him and Kitson (also ginger) was incredible. When he moved to Chelsea he didnt' really have a support figure, they have no ginger players. Since moving to Villa we have had no ginger players that play, but now we've got Collins at the back we're sorted. We have a ginger dream team. One more ginger player and we'd be Champions League material. See with just one player on the pitch they get bullied and put off there game. With two of them running the opposition do actually start to believe that they move so fast they leave a trail of fire. I for one have high hopes for Sidwell. I might even place a bet of another screamer like he scored, when it deflected off Carew and looped into the top corner Collins had a shot that caused an amazing save (cant remember which game now), so if he got the confidence to do that he can share it, and lets not doubt Sidwell's ability for quality strikes!

Comment 54, made on October 15, 2009 at 9.36 pm

Freebetinfo Tipster said:

... A tough game for both sides and one that should be settled by a single goal. For me Chelsea look like grabbing all 3pts here having won for the first time at Villa park last year for quite some time. Aston Villa will certainly be a tough cookie to overcome for the Chelsea players and will no doubt have their chances. If Carew plays instead of Heskey then this could well end up 1-1. But if Martin O'Neill keeps faith with a misfiring Hesky then for me Chelsea grab the spoils. From a betting point of view there are plenty of markets of interest here. Total Goals Under 2.5 @ 1.90 with Bet365 looks the best of the lot and certainly worth a few quid. For a more detailed preview and my other recommended bets on this game come visit us at http://www.freebetinfo.com

Comment 55, made on October 16, 2009 at 11.05 am

Nick said:

... If webcam and milner can play well i think we can win it. Gabby will give them trouble like always, and i think if we match up with 5 in the middle petrov and sidwell will be fine. But ashley and james need to play well and support agbonlahor up front. If they are crap we wont create enough with the limited possession we will probably have.

Comment 56, made on October 16, 2009 at 9.09 pm

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