Chelsea and José Mourinho have spent the last fortnight stewing over that untimely home defeat to Southampton, the repercussions of which were a vote of confidence from the owner and sanctions from the FA over the manager’s post-match comments. The focus is now drawn to the visit of Aston Villa as the latest opportunity to kickstart a campaign. Tim Sherwood arrives with his own problems, and tension mounting behind the scenes with his job apparently in jeopardy. Something has to give at Stamford Bridge, with one of these managers likely to depart fearing the worst. Dominic Fifield
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Stamford Bridge
Last season Chelsea 3 Aston Villa 0
Referee R East
This season G7, Y22, R1, 3.3 cards per game
Odds H 1-3 A 9-1 D 4-1
Chelsea
Subs from Amelia, Blackman, Rahman, Oscar, Falcao, Traoré, Djilobodji, Rémy, Kenedy, Pedro, Matic, Aina, Mikel
Doubtful Cahill (back)
Injured Ivanovic (hamstring, 31 Oct), Courtois (knee, Dec)
Suspended None
Form LDWLLW
Discipline Y14 R2
Leading scorer Willian 2
Aston Villa
Subs from Bunn, Steer, Hutton, Cole, Ilori, Senderos, Richardson, Ayew, Traoré, Kozak, N’Zogbia, Sánchez
Doubtful None
Injured Agbonlahor (calf, 24 Oct), Clark (thigh, 24 Oct), Okore (knee, 24 Oct), Gardner (groin, 2 Nov)
Suspended None
Form LLLLDL
Discipline Y15 R0
Leading scorer Gestede 3
