v 
Saturday, 17 October
2009
Leaders Chelsea
hope to maintain their two-point gap at the top of the Premier
League when they travel to top-four hopefuls Aston
Villa.
Villa lie seventh heading into the clash, just three points shy
of third and fourth place, currently occupied by Tottenham and
Manchester City respectively.
The Villans have produced mixed form at Villa Park so far this
term, with two wins coupled with a defeat and the draw with table
rivals City earlier this month.
Chelsea, meanwhile, face their first away test in the league
since their 3-1 defeat by Wigan last month but will have renewed
confidence after their 2-0 win over title rivals Liverpool last
time out.
Carlo Ancelotti's men bounced back from their nightmare at the
DW Stadium to take top spot and after opening up a two-point gap,
the Blues will be eager to keep the others at bay.
Boss Martin O'Neill has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the
encounter and could name the same side which held Man City last
time out.
O'Neill's biggest decision involves striker Emile Heskey, who
has reportedly voiced his concerns over his lack of starts in a
Villa shirt.
However, O'Neill is not one to change a working formula and is
expected to name in-form Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew as his
starting strike partnership.
Ashley Young has shrugged off the injury which forced him to
withdraw against City and will take his place on the left of
midfield with James Milner, back from international duty, on the
opposite flank.
Captain Stiliyan Petrov will partner former Chelsea midfielder
Steve Sidwell in the heart of midfield.
At the back, Villa will be unchanged with Stephen Warnock and
Carlos Cuellar operating the full-back roles.
Summer signings Richard Dunne and James Collins are expected to
pair up once more at the heart of defence after forming an
immediate working partnership at Villa Park.
Chelsea keeper Petr Cech is available again after suspension
following his red card at Wigan so Portuguese deputy Henrique
Hilario will drop to the bench.
Ancelotti has fitness concerns over Michael Ballack, who picked
up a knock playing for Germany against Russia last week.
The German sat out his country's 1-1 draw with Finland on
Wednesday and faces a race against time if he is to shake off the
ankle injury in time to take his place in the Blues midfield.
Frank Lampard, who is without a goal in nine games in a Blues
shirt, will almost certainly be at the heart of midfield with
Michael Essien.
Ancelotti is spoilt for choice on both flanks with the fit-again
Joe Cole available along with Yuri Zhirkov and in-form Florent
Malouda also in contention.
Nicolas Anelka has scored in his last three games against Villa,
and can expect to continue his flourishing partnership with Didier
Drogba up front for the away side.
Fresh from England duty, John Terry will captain his club this
time out with Ricardo Carvalho by his side.
Fellow England defender Ashley Cole can expect to keep his place
at left-back with Branislav Ivanovic in line to keep his place on
the opposite flank.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins,
Warnock, Milner, Petrov, Sidwell, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor,
Carew.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry,
Ashley Cole, Essien, Lampard, Deco, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba.
