Aston Villa v Chelsea - A job to do as we're all with Petrov!.

In difficult circumstances today Chelsea have to be professional and get three points at Villa Park this afternoon. Yesterday news broke that Stillian Petrov has been diagnosed with acute Leukaemia (cancer of the blood) and has immediately come down to London to a specialist hospital to start treatment.

Now we all have our rivalries, we all have banter between us in the stands about the game we are all passionate about. However, when you hear news like this it doesn't matter who you support, it doesn't matter how passionate about your club, your health is more important than anything.

I'll tell you something, football fans get a hell of a lot of stick these days but we're a realistic bunch of people and the whole football community always pull together when news like this breaks. You would have seen and heard messages of support for Petrov throughout football and every single one of us a praying that he can get through this. We ALL wish you well!.

So as I say, it's going to be difficult circumstances this afternoon but I am sure Petrov will want things to carry on as normal and his team mates to get out there and win the game for him. Chelsea need to be careful today, Villa Park's fans and players will be pumped up for this one and could put in the performance of their lives. Expect a hard, hard game today Chelsea fans.

As a Chelsea fan, I am hoping that Villa find themselves up against a very different Chelsea side to that of which they faced on 30th December at the Bridge. Villa beat us 3-1 that day and deservedly so. We could have no complaints about the result that day, only that it was at the time, another sign of problems under AVB.

This afternoon you will see that our squad are together again, ready to play for the Manager, their team-mates and the supporters. We come off the back of a fantastic performance and result in midweek with a somewhat surprising team selection and with the return leg at the Bridge on Wednesday in mind, we could see another surprising selection again today.

When asked about his rotation policy and the chopping and changing players, Di Matteo said:

'I have been giving them my explanation and opinion, trying to focus them on the job we have to do. We have six weeks left and next year they all want to be in the Champions League again, there is no time and space to be arguing or whatever. We have to channel our energy in the right mode and direction to achieve our results.

The players not involved or on the bench are disappointed but that's the way it is in modern football, with all the games we play.

I am involving everybody and giving everybody more time and opportunities, so it is normal some don't play as much, it's just a question of selecting players for each game.

I'm just trying to raise their game to be able to win the games, and prepare them for the games, but they still have to do the job so credit goes to the players.'

So I just wonder who will start the game today. I would imagine Ivanovic and Cahill would come into the side today as it seems that Luiz and Terry are the two starters in the Champions League. Ivanovic to continue at right back. We have heard that Raul Meireles has a knock so I don't expect him to play this afternoon.

I am hoping Di Matteo goes with the 4-2-3-1 formation today and brings Romeu into the side next to Mikel but again with Tuesday in mind, it wouldn't surprise me if Essien comes in.

People have posted comments on here about Juan Mata and he should be rested and I agree to a point. I agree because of the amount of games he has played but saying that, we have to play strong sides now to try and win every game to have a chance of the top four, so I would play him.

I also believe Danny Sturridge will get the nod today ahead of Kalou and even though it's tempting to go with Drogba, I would like to see Torres continue up front. Ramires and Lampard to continue in midfield again this afternoon.

Whoever starts needs to do a professional job today. Chelsea need to get on the ball and we need to dominate possession. Once again, no silly free kicks given away in and around our box. Torres if he starts will run his socks off all game so we have to use him and give him the service he needs.

Right now, I will take a 1-0 win as three points is all that matters. Can Chelsea get out there and get the job done this afternoon against a Villa side with additional motivation?. Let's hope so.

Just remember though, when this is all done and dusted, Petrov will still have a fight on his hands and we all wish him the best and to come through this.

KTBFFH!

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