Squad sheets: Chelsea v Aston Villa

If Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Bolton was tense, Carlo Ancelotti should be confident now of seeing his team achieve more authority as they try to reinvigorate their defence of the title. Aston Villa, after all, share with Blackburn the worst defensive record in the Premier League for away matches. Any vague hope would lie in the belief that the visitors, a point above the relegation places, must rally, but the team is vulnerable and the 4-0 loss at Manchester City did not suggest Gérard Houllier is close to a solution to the team's problems. Kevin McCarra Venue Stamford Bridge, Sunday 1.30pm Tickets Sold out Last season Chelsea 7 Aston Villa 1 Referee Lee Mason This season's matches 9 Y 39, R 3, 4.67 cards per game Odds Chelsea 2-7 Aston Villa 14-1 Draw 5-1 Chelsea Subs from Hilário, Turnbull, Ferreira, Van Aanholt, Kakuta, Kalou, Sala, Mellis, B Clifford, McEachran Doubtful None Injured Sturridge (knee, 5 Jan), Mikel (knee, 9 Jan), Zhirkov (calf, 15 Jan), Alex (knee, Feb), Borini (shoulder, Feb), Benayoun (achilles, Apr) Suspended Ivanovic (one match) Form guide WLDDDL Disciplinary record Y29 R1 Leading scorer Malouda 8 Aston Villa Subs from Parish, Delph, Heskey, Dunne, Delfouneso, Clark, Hogg, Herd, Pires, Bannan, Baker, Lowry Doubtful Delph (knee) Injured Carew (match fitness, 8 Jan), L Young (groin, 8 Jan), Weimann (ankle, Feb) Suspended None Form guide LLWLLL Disciplinary record Y34 R0 Leading scorer Downing 5 Match pointers • Chelsea are unbeaten at home to Villa since a 3-1 defeat on the final day of the 2001-02 season • Villa have conceded more goals from set pieces (13) than any other top flight side • Frank Lampard has scored more goals against Villa (nine) than any other side in the division • Only in 1994-95 did Villa have fewer points (16) after 19 Premier League games than this campaign (20) • After scoring 27 goals in their first 10 league matches, Chelsea have managed only six more in the next nine games