Aston Villa Preview: Three UP For Fans Award
COME ON CHELSEA
By Since66
March 27 2010
Super Frank, John Terry and Didier Drogba have been shortlisted for the Player of the Month Award for March as voted by US the football fan. Didier has been in sensational goalscoring form since he returned from the African Cup of Nations, JT has continued playing despite his off the field troubles and Super Frank has been... well just Super Frank.
Today at The Bridge, a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup semi-final in two weeks, although the prize both teams will be playing for are three valuable points for differing reasons.
Villa will want to keep up their chase for next season's Champions League and Chelsea are aiming to regain the Premiership title.
Already Chelsea's defence has been named (due to the sorry state of defensive injuries Chelsea are suffering at the moment). Cech, Ferreira, JT, Alex and Zhirkov.
Jeffrey Bruma and Patrick van Aanholt are already named on the bench.
Michael Ballack is fit again and Didier Drogba has shaken off the knock he received at Fratton Park in midweek which caused concern when he limped of the pitch at the final whistle.
Aston Villa will pose a threat.
A major threat.
They have talented players in Agbonlahor and Young who both have pace, although Agbonlahor is struggling with a foot injury and is a doubt.
They have the giant in Carew who will give JT and Alex a tough time and they have arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership in Brad Friedel.
Villa have their own injury problems in that Richard Dunne, James Milner and Emile Heskey are ALL suffering from Achilles problems and Martin O'Neill said, "We are now coming into the really difficult stage of the season with games coming thick and fast. This is when you hope the squad system will come into play.
"We do have a group of players here who could do with a week or two rest but we also have some excellent players waiting to play and I am sure they are chomping at the bit."
Of our own problems 'Anco' said, "Every team has injuries at some stage in the season and if you play as a team you can avoid the problem.
"We have problems in defence so we have to stay focused on our defending positions and we have to use all the players to have a good defence.
"The reaction during the game against Portsmouth was a good indication that things are changing but this game against Aston Villa is an important test because we're playing against a strong team that won their last game against us.
"Aston Villa have very good organisation, they're very dynamic and have a lot of players who are very quick and are good on the counter attack. They are also very good on set-pieces so I want to know that our bad moment is finished.
"This is the most important game now, not the game against Manchester United."
NOT UNTIL NEXT WEEK...... Ed!!
COMING UP - THE DALLAS CUP. On Sunday Chelsea start their challenge to bring home the Dallas Cup against FC Dallas U18. We will endeavour to bring you news as and when of the team's progress throughout the competition.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:03:27:07:23:29 by Since 66.
