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The New Year has brought with it renewed hope that Chelsea can seal victory this season again, despite all the injuries and set backs the club has faced.
With 1st and 2nd choice keepers out of action, 3rd choice Hilario has had to step in and up in order to help keep the club in the running for the title for a 3rd successive year. Couple that necessary, with 2 missing 1st choice wingers, a newly absent captain, and a striker who, despite all history to the contrary, can't seem to connect the ball to the back of the net, and it is no wonder the Blues have struggled as of late.
Will Tuesday's match away to Aston Villa be the turning point for the club? With the points spread in the table the way that it is, the boys have no choice but to come out full force against a team that has not been beaten at home by Chelsea in 7
years.
Man United seem to have hit, dare we say it, a blip, and a win at Aston Villa would bring the Champions to within 4 points of them. Could this be the inspiration Chelsea need to push forward? At this point in the calendar, there isn't really much choice -- if Man U continue with their present form, the title could slip away if we don't see a shift into high gear and get some attacking football going.
Aston Villa are missing some influencial players due to injury and are coming off a dissapointing loss at Charlton.
Who will start in this unlikely influencial match? Here is our predicted starting XI:
Hilario
Geremi- Boulharouz - Carvalho - A.Cole
Makelele
Essien - Lampard
Kalou - Shevchenko
Drogba
Bench: Hedman, Ferreira, Bridge, Mikel, SWP
With Ballack out suspended, the formation will slip into a 4-3-3 set up, out of necessity more than anything else, and the recently chastised Kalou and Shevchenko will get an opportunity to prove their worth once again. Drogba will continue to be a constant.
If unsuccessful, SWP can come off the bench and play alongside Wayne Bridge, who can slot in nicely for a winger as needed.
Makelele and Essien will be key midfield players with the back line needing more help than the boys may necessarily be used to. (In other words, expect a slow match with alot of long balls from the back line to the front 3)
Our Verdict: Have faith, 3 points will come today
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