Aston Villa Preview: Let The Silly Season Begin

First please allow me to take the opportunity to wish you all a Happy, Prosperous, Profitable, Risk Free 2012 New Year and thank you for your continued support and readership during 2011. (See message board - 100% Risk Free Betting) 

The 'silly' season begins today as Chelsea take on Aston Villa at The Bridge in a very rare 3pm kick-off and then on Monday, The Blues travel to Wolves in another 3pm kick-off (Good Grief!! What is Going on?...... Ed).

In between the match action, the eagerly awaited transfer window opens up for business and I expect Chelsea to be early protaganists as they sort out a creaky defence and perhaps bring in someone with much needed creativity in their play 

Bolton's Owen Coyle announced yesterday that a fee had been agreed for Chelsea to sign the much-chased Gary Cahill, however in his pre-match press conference, AvB announced that the deal is 'miles away' from completion.

He said, "We are still miles apart regarding agreement with the player and we will continue to monitor this situation as we are continuing to monitor the other targets we have outlined."

Could this mean that Coyle cannot guarantee Josh regular football as Chelsea require?

After all look what happened to young Gael, who never really got a look in and for Josh to go on loan to the Reebok, Gael will have to leave and at the moment his likely destination is France.

Or is the Cahill transfer simply an issue about money?

Whatever happens, I really do not expect for Chelsea to hang the window out to dry and conduct their business in the ritual of the last minutes of transfer deadline day!

There are no fresh injury worries after Monday's disappointing result against Fulham although AvB did mention that both Bosingwa and 'One England Captain' JT had picked up knocks.

He said, "John Terry is ok, he had a big knock during the game against Fulham but he is okay. Bosingwa the same, he had to come off because he felt a muscle tighten, but he is okay."

Ramires returns to the squad after serving his suspension and Ivanovic and Mikel are not expected to feature again until the FA Cup tie against Portsmouth on Sunday week. 

COME ON CHELSEA

TWITTER: @WVOMChelsea