Source: SKY_Sports
Aston Villa v Chelsea preview
Leaders Chelsea hope to maintain their two-point gap at the top of the Premier League when they travel to top-four hopefuls Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.
Villa lie seventh heading into the clash, just three points shy of third and fourth place, currently occupied by Tottenham and Manchester City respectively.
The Villans have produced mixed form at Villa Park so far this term, with two wins coupled with a defeat and the draw with table rivals City earlier this month.
Chelsea, meanwhile, face their first away test in the league since their 3-1 defeat by Wigan last month but will have renewed confidence after their 2-0 win over title rivals Liverpool last time out.
Carlo Ancelotti's men bounced back from their nightmare at the DW Stadium to take top spot and after opening up a two-point gap, the Blues will be eager to keep the others at bay.
Team newsBoss Martin O'Neill has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the encounter and could name the same side which held Man City last time out.
O'Neill's biggest decision involves striker Emile Heskey, who has reportedly voiced his concerns over his lack of starts in a Villa shirt.
However, O'Neill is not one to change a working formula and is expected to name in-form Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew as his starting strike partnership.
Ashley Young has shrugged off the injury which forced him to withdraw against City and will take his place on the left of midfield with James Milner, back from international duty, on the opposite flank.
Captain Stiliyan Petrov will partner former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell in the heart of midfield.
At the back, Villa will be unchanged with Stephen Warnock and Carlos Cuellar operating the full-back roles.
Summer signings Richard Dunne and James Collins are expected to pair up once more at the heart of defence after forming an immediate working partnership at Villa Park.
Chelsea teamChelsea keeper Petr Cech is available again after suspension following his red card at Wigan so Portuguese deputy Henrique Hilario will drop to the bench.
Ancelotti has fitness concerns over Michael Ballack, who picked up a knock playing for Germany against Russia last week.
The German sat out his country's 1-1 draw with Finland on Wednesday and faces a race against time if he is to shake off the ankle injury in time to take his place in the Blues midfield.
Frank Lampard, who is without a goal in nine games in a Blues shirt, will almost certainly be at the heart of midfield with Michael Essien.
Ancelotti is spoilt for choice on both flanks with the fit-again Joe Cole available along with Yuri Zhirkov and in-form Florent Malouda also in contention.
Nicolas Anelka has scored in his last three games against Villa, and can expect to continue his flourishing partnership with Didier Drogba up front for the away side.
Fresh from England duty, John Terry will captain his club this time out with Ricardo Carvalho by his side.
Fellow England defender Ashley Cole can expect to keep his place at left-back with Branislav Ivanovic in line to keep his place on the opposite flank.
Possible starting XIs
Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Milner, Petrov, Sidwell, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Carew.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien, Lampard, Deco, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba.
Bet on Saturday's game.
