Posted December 31, 201014 yr Last 5 games: Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea (D) Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa (W) Chelsea 7-1 Aston Villa (W) Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea (L) Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea (W) No Ivanovic for this game means Bruma to get a start I hope. No other changes although I'd like to see Kakuta in place of Anelka. Cech Bosingwa - Bruma - Terry - Cole Ramires - Essien Lampard Anelka - - - Malouda Drogba Villa line up will probably be Friedel, Lichaj, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Albrighton, Downing, A Young, Agbonlahor Villa have been in worse form than us and are 15th in the table. 5 losses and 1 win in the last 6. Ashley Young could be back for this one but Downing's really been their danger man this season. Lets kick off the new year with a win!
December 31, 201014 yr Lucky I clicked "Refresh" - I was just about to add the match thread topic! Here for what it's worth, are a few of my thoughts on the game. First game of the New Year sees us up against Aston Villa, who we beat 7-1 In last year's corresponding fixture. With recent results in mind, I''d happily take a 1-0. A second successive win is all important, but having said that, I'm also hopeful that we can build on the second half performance v Bolton. Villa have their own share of problems. Houllier's job is rumoured to be under threat, Villa having managed to pick up just 7 points from the last 24. Their poor form gives us no room for complacency. Bad runs have a nasty habit of coming to an end against us. It's up to Carlo and the team to ensure that this doesn't happen, and to use the win against Bolton as the catalyst that gets our season back on track.
December 31, 201014 yr We've not got a great record at Villa Park in recent years, so I#m stil quite worried about this one, especially if we start how we did against Bolton. Knowing Carlo, I imagine we'll line up with the following: Cech Cole Terry Ferreira Bosingwa Essien Lampard Ramires Malouda Drogba Anelka We could really use an early goal or 2 in this one, to settle the nerves and let the players play with a bit more confidence.
December 31, 201014 yr This weekend could go either way for us, could be a good un or bad un. We play Villa at home after Utd have played West Brom away and the Arse have had to go to Brum, 2 not easy away games. I think we need to stick with the team we had, but really hope Carlo has learnt a lesson and doesnt play Paulo in the middle of defence and puts some faith in Bruma.
December 31, 201014 yr We've not got a great record at Villa Park in recent years, so I#m stil quite worried about this one, especially if we start how we did against Bolton. Knowing Carlo, I imagine we'll line up with the following: Cech Cole Terry Ferreira Bosingwa Essien Lampard Ramires Malouda Drogba Anelka We could really use an early goal or 2 in this one, to settle the nerves and let the players play with a bit more confidence. I hope we are at home or I am turning up at the wrong place Sunday ? Agree with your team though looks the most likely starting 11
December 31, 201014 yr Author Yes, we are at the Bridge. Already drew 0-0 at Villa Park. And Ferreira at CB, seriously?
December 31, 201014 yr This is from tribalfootball so I suspect it's pure conjecture. However, I'm keeping an open mind .. you never know, it might even be true:: Chelsea boss Ancelotti takes Bruma gamble against VillaChelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is turning to rookie defender Jeffrey Bruma to rescue their season. Branislav Ivanovic picked up a one-match suspension against Bolton on Wednesday, when he was booked for the fifth time this season.. Ancelotti is now set to pair teenager Bruma with John Terry in central defence on Sunday for the clash with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.. The Italian has made bolstering that department his priority in the transfer window, with Chelsea having had a £17.5m bid for Benfica defender David Luiz rejected out of hand by the Portuguese club. LINK
December 31, 201014 yr Author And Carlo needs to back up his words on Kakuta. “Now he is first team, he will have the same opportunity as the other players and he deserves to play because he trained well, he is focused and concentrated. He will play and we now have to consider him not a young player but a player in the first team.â€
December 31, 201014 yr Yes, we are at the Bridge. Already drew 0-0 at Villa Park. And Ferreira at CB, seriously? I know I hope he watches the Sunderland game again as a reminder never to do that again ! I hope Burma gets a start , I can sort of understand why he didn't play him alongside Ivaonvic at the back but with Terry he should be okay
December 31, 201014 yr Would worry abou the aerial threat from Collins, Dunne etc with Bruma at the back. But I'm fully confident we will win this one, even if we do concede.
December 31, 201014 yr Playing Ferreira , a wing back, in central defence is not the answer. It's like calling in the electrician to fix a plumbing problem in your home or vice versa. Also playing Essien as a holding midfielder is another example of using a player in an unaccustomed role. I will be surprised if Carlo does not replace Ivan with Bruma against Villa.
December 31, 201014 yr This is how the Guardian sees the teams lining up: Subs from: Hilário, Turnbull, Bruma, Van Aanholt, Kakuta, Kalou, Sala, Mellis, B Clifford, McEachran Edited December 31, 201014 yr by Hutch
December 31, 201014 yr Really hope we do see Bruma in the middle. Other than that I agree with the line up. Paulo does seem to drift out of position when he's in the middle. Which is understandable as it's not his position.
December 31, 201014 yr Looks like a Bruma start is official. Here's hoping he starts off his New Year with the first of many starts for us and plays a blinder: Bruma For Villa
December 31, 201014 yr Would worry abou the aerial threat from Collins, Dunne etc with Bruma at the back. But I'm fully confident we will win this one, even if we do concede. From what I've seen, it's not so much Bruma's aerial ability that lacks; it's more his decision making. Anyways, I HOPE we can see a lineup like this: Cole, Terry, Bruma, Ferreira/Bosingwa Lampard, Essien, Ramires Malouda, Drogba, Kakuta/Sturridge I put a "/" where I wasn't particularly picky as to who will play there. Sturridge might not be fit so I'd probably go with Kakuta. More likely though, Anelka will start, even though I feel he really deserves to be dropped after a series of many dismal performances. When was the last time he played well? The loss to Newcastle in the Carling Cup? I think so... Also, it's a possibility that we'll see Ferreira at CB with Bos at RB but I really would rather not see that... Just go with Bruma ffs; he can't possibly worse than Ferreira at CB. Nevermind, just saw the above link. Really glad Bruma is going to start. Also, can anyone comment on how Lichaj has been performing? From the bits and pieces that I've seen, he's seemed pretty good, which is nice to see from a young Yank because we need a long-term replacement for Cherundolo and Spector always looks much better in midfield than at right back for some reason. Edited December 31, 201014 yr by Planet Drogba
December 31, 201014 yr In light of Bruma starting, I'd probably give the nod to Paulo over Bossie at right-back. A more level-headed defensive presence would be preferable to a misfiring Bosingwa.
December 31, 201014 yr I'm happy to see the Guardian proved wrong (nice graphic though, got to give them that), and I hope that Bruma does himself justice. Hopefully having JT alongside him will make it easier for him to slot in. Sturridge is back in training, but whether that means he'll be available for selection is unclear.
December 31, 201014 yr I hope Burma gets a start , I can sort of understand why he didn't play him alongside Ivaonvic at the back but with Terry he should be okay I agree. I hope Bruma if played has an excellent game. Then Carlo could use him as a third choice centre back and eventually move Ivan out to right wing back. Of course there is also the possibility Carlo will sign the 25 year old Bolton defender Gary Cahill, as Chelsea have yet to fulfill our Premier League squad remit for home-grown players.
December 31, 201014 yr Baptism of fire for Jeffrey this one. A good game against Agbonlahor and Young could prove to be his breakthrough.
December 31, 201014 yr And Carlo needs to back up his words on Kakuta. “Now he is first team, he will have the same opportunity as the other players and he deserves to play because he trained well, he is focused and concentrated. He will play and we now have to consider him not a young player but a player in the first team.†This combined with Bruma getting the start is great news. I see now that Kakuta was not being given much of a chance because of his contract situation. I suppose the idea was that they felt no reason to give him time on the field to develop if there was a chance he was not staying. This was at least part of the reason.
December 31, 201014 yr Bruma to start eh? Let's hope he does well though I won't begrudge him a bad performance, he surely couldn't be as bad as Paulo was against Sunderland. We should definitely stick with the midfield three from the Bolton game and hope they back up well. I also wouldn't mind Anelka on the bench with a start for one of the younger lads but it won't happen so I'm forgetting about it. Villa despite their form are a good side who need the win just as much as us and it'll be a difficult game certainly no repeat of last year's fixture at the Bridge. If we can win this one then we can certainly say we're back on track.
December 31, 201014 yr Bruma will do fine with Cech behind him, a strong defense along side him & Essien Mikel/Ramires in front of him offering protection. This Villa side are in turmoil at the moment. We could batter them if we get an early goal to boost our confidence/dent theirs. 3 Points is the most important thing though
January 1, 201114 yr Author Also, can anyone comment on how Lichaj has been performing? From the bits and pieces that I've seen, he's seemed pretty good, which is nice to see from a young Yank because we need a long-term replacement for Cherundolo and Spector always looks much better in midfield than at right back for some reason. Well, I watched the Spurs and City matches and I'm still undecided. He looked pretty good up against Bale but then well out of his depth against City. Still only 21 I think so he could have a good future. Lets hope he doesn't do too well tomorrow though.
