Maverick

Sounds like he is overhyped (as the price tag suggests) and surely we wont match the bid for a player that has no continental exposure and comes from an average league. I'd rather appreciate us going after someone like Dzeko and shell out the extra money for a proven goal scorer.

I agree and probably thats the only silver lining in case of Mancienne. He seems to have made the step up to the premiership and continues to put in consistent performance for Wolves week in and week out. Whether he gets a chance at Chelsea or not is something we'll discover later but he is probably the only player (on loan) that seems to be ready for premiership football.

I think he had stated that he would like to return to Burnley if he was not guaranteed first team action. I dont recall him explicitly asking for a transfer or anything on those lines. Having seen him in action for Burnley (last year and bits of this year) I am sure he could have been used as a utility player like Belleti, though it seems that we are only looking to nurture/ develop "world class" talents at the moment. I agree that his, Mancienne, Bertrand and Matic days look numbered as a Chelsea player.

Cork played 90 mins for Burnley yesterday in a 3 - 3 draw away at Sheffield. Burnley were unable to hold on to the lead that they achieved twice and apparently Law is not too happy with his players.

I'd say he way pretty good considering that he was not 100% fit for the game.

Not just Dorgba, we missed others as well such as Lampard, Kalou and someone like Yossi today that could create a chance. I am pretty satisfied with the result and see it as a point gained than two dropped in the current scenario.

Great stuff. Thanks a lot.

I have just highlighted our poor record at Villa park for the last 6 years. Ofcourse we beat them at home but I guess we all recall being beaten when we were on a roll last year at Villa park.

17/10-09 Premier League Aston Villa vs. Chelsea 2:1 21/02-09 Premier League Aston Villa vs. Chelsea 0:1 02/09-07 Premier League Aston Villa vs. Chelsea 2:0 02/01-07 Premier League Aston Villa vs. Chelsea 0:0 01/02-06 Premier League Aston Villa vs. Chelsea 1:1 11/09-04 Premier League Aston Villa vs. Chelsea 0:0 12/04-04 Premier League Aston Villa vs. Chelsea 3:2 Those stats should pretty much settle the debate on whether we have struggled at Villa park or not. The only victory coming under Hiddink and the scenario was entirely different as compared to what we find ourselves in today. Given the number of injuries we face currently a point with no further work for the medical ward would be a fantastic result.

Couldn't have put it better myself. An injury is something no one can foresee but in the time he has been on the pitch he looks a useful addition to the squad. Too bad that he is injured, look forward to him recovering and rejoining the squad in the later half of the season.

Looks like he will be on the bench tomorrow may not get game time but the sheer involvement in first team will be a valuable experience.

If he manages to stay fit he could well be one of the best strikers in the world. Its just that he carries a lot of niggling injuries through the season that hinders him from putting in consistent performances day in and day out. Glad to see Kakuta start tomorrow and its not upto him to make these starts count and earn his new contract.

Well precisely the reason why the loan deal fort Matic and Cork came as a surprise to me. One of those two could have filled up one of the spots in the midfield during an injury crisis. I hope we see this phase through with all the injuries and the away trips. I'd be glad if we came away with a point given our record at Villa park in the last few years.

He is close to first team action but I am not too sure if we are going to gamble on it since its an away game at Villa. I'd personally prefer Ferreira to Chalobah in the RB position because Albrighton could potentially skin a young defender like Chalobah. Also the game maybe too physical for a 15 year old to handle.

He lasted pretty much the whole of last season and the signs are that he will last this one as well. Maybe Yuri can replace him in the cup games but in current form its not even a contest.

Well most of the Eastern European nations dont learn English in their school. I'd be surprised if he hasn't learnt English yet, though Ivanovic is not great at it I think he has acclamitized better than Yuri. Maybe Yuri can learn a thing or two from his Serbian counterpart.

I guess some of the credit should go to Essien and Mikel who have stepped up big time in the absence of Lampard. Ramires seems to be finding his feet and looks to be a good addition to the midfield.

That should settle this story for now, we all knew he was never gonna come. In hind sight it might be a good thing for the club since he seems to be too injury prone in a league thats not exactly known for its physical nature.

We're winning trophies with a team of accountants !! :D

The new kid in Villa - Albrighton will be a handful for our RB which currently looks to be Ferreira/ Bruma or maybe even Bosingwa. Given our track record at Villa park I'd be glad if we walked away with a draw. A win would be an absolute bonus.

Nice one :)

Having seen him play for Wolves last season and a bit of this one I believe his best position is in the centre of the field. It could be in centre back or in a defensive midfield role but its in that position that he generally performs at his best.

Captained the under 21's and played at Right back in the game against Romania.

Glad to hear that he never had Roman on his heals and we can see the results of showing patience and faith in Arnesen. A lot of credit should go to him for luring players such a Kakuta, Bruma and Van Aanholt. Hoping to see some more talents to come through the youth academy.

Played the entire game against Wigan as a defensive midfielder and did a marvelous job in that role. Wolves were reduced to ten men pretty early in the game with Henry being sent off. Mancienne continues to exhibit examplary interception and ball distribution that makes him look at home in the defensive mid role.