You can always rely on chelsea to not win the game WE need them to win! Though they are pretty good coming back from behind.
Chelsea far from at their best - looks like their minds are on the Europa final. Villa have improved so much during the season, though - in total contrast to us. Sending off a bit harsh, I felt, foot was not that high. Just praying that Benteke doesn't get a second yellow and miss the Wigan game. Take him off, Lambert, please!
I know if we win we will probably stay up but I have little confidence in our squad, tactics and manager to get a result.
I think Benteke is a bit lucky to be on the pitch. That elbow on Azpilicueta looked deliberate to me.
Ha! Although you say that, there is an awful lot of smash it in Benteke's general direction and watch him boss it from Villa. They a looking very dangerous. Suddenly that 2-1 loss last weekend doesn't look such a shock! To be perfectly honest, though, I'm not sure we really care about this result all that much. It really is just Wigan, Newcastle, Sunderland and ourselves we should be bothered about.
Season almost over, and Villa are definitely now a team in the Lambert mould, just as we are a team in the Hughton mould. The comparison does Hughton no credit at all.
As I said above, I wish Lambert was our manager still. The football is great and he is playing 3 upfront and midfield diamond, its great.
You're probably right, but it would be nice to be able to put the whole thing to bed tomorrow. This game is only directly relevant to us, though, if Wigan win at Arsenal and Villa lose and are dragged back into it. And please please take Benteke off. The luck we have had in the last few weeks, I could honestly see the ref evening up the cards and then Benteke misses the Wigan game.
The only good thing for us if Chelsea lose is that Arsenal have a big incentive to try to crush Wigan rather than ease out a 1-0. They could go above Chelsea on goal difference if they do that. Oops, sorry, I'm wrong. That is true if Chelsea draw. If they lose, all Arsenal need to do is grind out two narrow wins against Wigan and Newcastle and they are third.
I agree that it would be nice to gain safety tomorrow, but if Villa were to win, how committed would they be against Wigan? Two reasons for wanting a Chelsea win, IMO. There's a good stream on First Row Sports, by the way. The possession stats are 36%/64% in Chelsea's favor, but that will be more difficult to maintain with only 10 men.
You've got to give Lambert credit for sticking to his principles all season and not giving in to those who wanted Bent up front. Will not be so generous in my views if we lose tomorrow though.
