The hectic December Premier League schedule begins for Chelsea on Wednesday, as they host Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been flying this season, however they are in a position that they are not used to. The Blues are coming into this game suffering back-to-back defeats in the league, including a surprise 1-0 loss to an out of form West Ham side.
This month will be a busy one, so Frank Lampard needs to motivate his players and iron out the problems quickly if his side want to stay inside the top four.
Playing against this Aston Villa side will be difficult though. Dean Smith has got his players organised and Villa are quick on the transition, so Chelsea can expect a tough test.
Let’s take a look at some of the key battles that could decide this match at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard vs Dean Smith
Lampard has been impressive since taking over at Chelsea but will see his leadership tested as he looks to get back to winning ways after two defeats in a row. During their 1-0 defeat to West Ham, Chelsea looked lethargic and were not confident in front of goal. Obviously, top scorer Tammy Abraham not being available due to injury will hamper their chances, but Chelsea do have players on the bench that are more than capable of coming into the fold.
Dean Smith will look to exploit this rare blip of form and get his side to be intense and press the ball. Villa have shown they are more than capable of holding their own against any club and also have creative midfielders who can carve open defences.
Tammy Abraham vs Tyrone Mings
Chelsea’s striker was sorely missed on the weekend as the Blues slumped to a 1-0 defeat to West Ham. However, he looks set to return against Aston Villa, a team who are in the Premier League this season thanks in large to Abraham’s 26 goals for them last season.
Mings has impressed this season and he will look to stop Abraham by challenging him in the air and using his strength to keep Abraham off the ball.
N'Golo Kante vs Jack Grealish
Kante has surprisingly looked a little bit uneasy since returning from injury and started on the bench against West Ham. This fixture is an excellent opportunity for him to regain his confidence and match form. The Frenchman will look to be defensively sound, winning the ball back in the middle of the pitch and breaking down any Villa attacks.
This role will be crucial, as Villa’s midfield is full of creativity and is integral to their success. Villa’s standout player in this department is captain Grealish. He has proven the quality he has in his performances this season. The midfielder effortlessly moves around the pitch and will pick out his teammates with ease.
Kurt Zouma vs Wesley
Zouma has been another one of Lampard’s success stories this season as the French centre-back has looked mighty impressive this season. Quick, strong and not afraid to get stuck into a challenge, Zouma has been solid for Chelsea.
He will come up against Villa’s striker Wesley, who has been impressive also. The Brazilian striker is a powerhouse and looks to bully any centre-half that marks him. Zouma will need to use his experience to know how to handle a striker like Wesley, who will use his strength to frustrate the defence. Due to his strength and height, Wesley will be Villa’s focal point for attacks. If Zouma can keep Wesley quiet, this will significantly help Chelsea’s chances of a victory.