Chelsea travel to Birmingham to face Aston Villa, who are only six points clear of relegation and engaged in a battle of survival.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have a wonderful opportunity to put daylight between themselves and their main title rivals as the English Premier League approaches its crescendo.
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With only one point from four games in February, the Villans began March with a relieving 4-1 home win against Norwich City on March 1.
Otherwise, it has been a poor season at Villa Park, with only 14 points gained at home all season.
Equally, Paul Lambert’s men have beaten Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as drawn against Liverpool this season, so no doubting their ability to fashion a result from this game.
Central to their hopes is Christian Benteke. With nine goals out of a total of 31 scored by the club (next best is Leandro Bacuna with five), the Belgian’s physicality and ability to outmuscle the Chelsea defence is critical to the home side’s chances in staging an upset.
Any chance of three points for Villa means breaking the meanest defence in the league.
Set up in typical Jose Mourinho style, Chelsea have only conceded 22 goals in a season that has seen the rejuvenation of John Terry as their defensive linchpin.
Since Christmas, the Blues have racked up 32 out of a possible 36 league points, more than their opponents have amassed all season.
But the last time the leaders dropped points was on their last visit to the Midlands in a 1-1 draw last month at West Bromwich Albion.
All this despite having no recognised frontline striker. With Fernando Torres expected to be missing for a few more weeks, Mourinho will likely rely on Samuel Eto’o to lead the line.
However, Chelsea’s real dangerman has been their own Belgian Eden Hazard, who has notched 13 goals and five assists this season. He will be ably supported by the recently firing Andre Schurrle.
Expect Chelsea to show enough firepower to leave Villa Park with three points and place further pressure on their rivals.
Last Five Matches
Aston Villa
4-1 Win v Norwich City (H) (EPL)
0-1 Loss v Newcastle United (A) (EPL)
0-0 Draw v Cardiff City (A) (EPL)
0-2 Loss v West Ham (H) (EPL)
1-2 Loss v Everton (A) (EPL)
Chelsea
4-0 Win v Tottenham Hotspur (H) (EPL)
3-1 Win v Fulham (A) (EPL)
1-1 Draw v Galatasaray (A) (UCL)
1-0 Win v Everton (H) (EPL)
0-2 Loss v Manchester City (A) (FAC)
Expected lineups
Aston Villa (4-3-3)
1. Brad Guzan
7. Leandro Bacuna
4. Ron Vlaar ©
6. Ciaran Clark
2. Nathan Baker
15. Ashley Westwood
16. Fabian Delph
8. Karim El Ahmadi
11. Gabriel Agbonlahor
10. Andreas Weimann
20. Christian Benteke
Chelsea (4-3-3)
1. Petr Cech
2. Branislav Ivanovic
26. John Terry ©
24. Gary Cahill
28. César Azpilicueta
7. Ramires
8. Frank Lampard
21. Nemanja Matic
14. Andre Schürrle
29. Samuel Eto’o
17. Eden Hazard
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Anyway, bedtime for me. Big result here at Villa Park, with Aston Villa beating Chelsea 1-0. Until next time, bye!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
This is how the ladder sits at the top now after this result. Bear in mind, Liverpool and Arsenal still to play tomorrow. Chelsea (P30, 66p, +33) Manchester City (P27, 60p, +44) Liverpool (P28, 59p, +38) Arsenal (P28, 59p, +24) Tottenham (P29, 53p, 0) Villa climb to 10th with this win. They are on 34 points after 29 games. They are nine points behind 9th place Newcastle United though, so you feel this is the peak they can reach this season.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Aston Villa 1-0 Chelsea WHAT A RESULT! As much as we can talk about Chelsea's missed opportunity, this is a big result for Aston Villa that should keep them safe this season. Fabian Delph is the hero, with the goal in the 82nd minute. Make no mistake, they took this game to Chelsea, and despite a lack of possesison, they looked an everpresent threat. Meanwhile, Chelsea have handed a massive advantage to their chasers. They are still on top, mind you, but with three games extra than Manchester City, they have now firmly handed momentum back to the Citizens. Arsenal and Liverpool won't mind this result either, but they have massive games respectively tomorrow to deal with if they want to capitalise.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+3: OFF THE POST AND OUT! Great throw in and Delph passes onto the bar. And Ramires now off for a second yellow. Chelsea down to nine, and this game set and match,it should be. And now Mourinho on the field going off at the ref! The Villa fans absolutely making a raucous here, as they are entitled to. Ramires off for stamping, and this title charge is slipping slightly. More added time now. SECOND YELLOW/RED: Ramires (CHE)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
We lost about a minute while on of the Villa players got some treatment, so still three minutes for Chelsea to conjure a miracle. One point simply isn't sufficing here for them. They might only get that.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Four added minutes, and Chelsea dedicating all their forces forward. It's a break in play, while we watch the replay of the goal, the celebrations, and the muted expression on John Terry. Is that a title that is slipping away?
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90: Benteke launches a great shot from outside the box, which Cech can only palm away! That's a great shot when you're 1-0 up and trying to seal the deal. AVL 1-0 CHE And a yellow to Ramires for an yet to be known reason on my part. Will find out. YELLOW CARD: Ramires (CHE)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'88: Desperate times for Chelsea, with a throw in. Nearly all blue shirts are attacking, leaving plenty of room for a Villa counterattack.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'86: A great ball from Albrighton that eludes a speedy Weimann. Villa definitely not resting on their laurels, trying to shut out any Fergie-style comeback from Chelsea. AVL 1-0 CHE
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'85: Crowd in absolute raptures (no s*** Sherlock I hear you say), but the fact is that this could be a season-defining moment not only for these two teams, but for the teams challenging for a top 4/title tilt. AVL 1-0 CHE
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'84: Chelsea pushing further, with Ivanovic having the throw. It's operation hang on for Aston Villa now. AVL 1-0 CHE
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Delph did it all there. He won the ball in midfield, then ran to the box, and crossed it to Albrighton who then passed it back for Delph to nod home.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'82: WOW! Vlaar goes inches over the bar, but again Cech not working! It's a great leap from the Villa skipper, beating numerous blue shirts, but it's nothing that Cech will concern about. GOAL: But he will now! Delph has scored! It builds up the end, and Delph pokes it through! THIS IS BIG! AVL 1-0 CHE
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'80: Now a free kick for Villa, who have a wide position to aim after Matic went in late. No card, but this is threatening. Terry and Cahill snuff it, but it's a corner.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'79: Hazard finds the space in the wall, but also the space on the right of Guzan's goal. Again, another shot not on target. AVL 0-0 CHE
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'78: This is for Hazard. A big moment here this could be, while Villa make another change, taking off Bennett and putting in Ciaran Clark.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'76: If there has been a weakness to this game, it has been the inability of the players to threaten the goalkeepers. THis time it's Delph, who shoots well wide of Cech despite good buildup. You get the feeling though this game will have a goal. Free kick to Chelsea after a bad high foot by Vlaar. He's going into the book, and Chelsea have a great position outside the box for this free kick. This may be their best outlet from here on in. YELLOW CARD: Ron Vlaar (AVL)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'75: Schurrle offside, after Chelsea deal with the corner threat. The Special One looking grumpy indeed.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Mark Albrighton to come on for Agbonlahor, who has worked hard but not been a threat. Villa may not be closing down the option of three points here.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'74: Despite the one less man, Chelsea still dominating possession. But Villa finding it easier to clear, and Bacuna charges up field and shoots and deflects off Azpilicueta. Corner to the home side.