Afternoon all. While the derbies in North London and Merseyside have dominated the headlines in recent days, we will be covering a big match here, with both sides needing the three points. It's struggling Aston Villa taking on league-leading Chelsea at Villa Park.

First of all, though, let's take a look at the team news, starting with the home side...

VILLA XI: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Clark, Cissokho; Westwood, Delph, Cleverley, Gil; Agbonlahor, Weimann

VILLA SUBS: Given, Vlaar, Bacuna, Sinclair, Cole, Benteke, Sanchez

Well, the big news as far as that Villa selection is concerned centres around Christian Benteke, who has been dropped to the bench. The big Belgian has been replaced up front by Gabriel Agbonlahor. Carlos Sanchez is also among the substitutes, with the returning Ashley Westwood recalled to the starting lineup. Alongside Benteke and Sanchez on the bench is the welcome return of skipper Ron Vlaar, who has recently been sidelined through injury.

And now for visiting Chelsea. Will Juan Cuadrado, who arrived from Fiorentina in the transfer window, be handed a debut?

CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Drogba

CHELSEA SUBS: Cech, Zouma, Ake, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Cuadrado, Remy

So, Jose Mourinho has resisted the temptation to throw the £25m man straight into the action. The Colombian is among the substitutes, alongside Kurt Zouma and Loic Remy, both of whom have lost their places in the team from last week's outing against Manchester City. They have been replaced by Gary Cahill and Didier Drogba respectively. Of course, leading goalscorer Diego Costa is suspended, while Cesc Fabregas is still troubled by a hamstring strain.

And here is how the Blues will operate in a tactical sense:

Here's a reminder of today's team news. #CFC pic.twitter.com/IxZ7F7gYhi — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 7, 2015

Here is perhaps why Cuadrado hasn't been given his debut from the start:

"I don't think it is the best thing for him that I speak of expectations. He needs his time as anyone does and he will have his time. He's not a panic buy, it's a reaction to Schurrle leaving and he is a player we have known of for a long time," Mourinho told reporters earlier this week.

Meanwhile, in the days leading up to this clash, Mourinho's opposite number Paul Lambert has been backing Benteke to rediscover his clinical touch. The striker has not scored for six Premier League games:

"I think a fit Christian Benteke, who was right on his game, if he had been performing from when he came back from his injury to now, I'm pretty sure there would have been a long list of clubs knocking the door down for him.

"The big guy has had a dip of form, which I think he realises. But he's still a big talent. He's human like everyone else, you can't rest everything on his shoulders every time. It's something we're working hard on, as staff and players, to get him back to what we know he can do."

And so what has Lambert decided to do? He's dropped Benteke! Despite his poor form, that's somewhat surprising given that the 24-year-old has often caused Chelsea problems. He's got two goals against them since his arrival from Genk in 2012.

Perhaps the thinking behind Lambert's decision is that both Agbonlahor and Weimann are blessed with plenty of pace, which Chelsea centre-back John Terry isn't. While Terry's defensive partner Cahill is no slouch, he's not a speed merchant like the Villa duo. Both Terry and Cahill may well have fancied a physical battle with Benteke, but it's highly unlikely that they will be relishing the challenge of being up against such pace.

VIDEO PREVIEW! Right, where is this game going to be won and lost? Here, Sports Mole's very own Matt Law and Pascal Lemesre have taken to the Sports Mole Sofa to have their say on this encounter.

RESULT! Let's take you away from Birmingham for a moment and down to North London, where Tottenham and Arsenal have been battling it out at White Hart Lane. The visiting Gunners went 1-0 up through Mesut Ozil in the first half, but that man Harry Kane responded with two goals to earn the hosts all three points. For our match report, click here.

What Villa would give to have Kane in their starting lineup today! Going into this clash, Villa have not scored for a club-record six Premier League games. That's a goal drought of over 10 hours. However, while Chelsea are regarded to have a good defensive unit, perhaps Villa can take confidence from the fact that of the 20 goals that the Blues have conceded this term, 16 have come on the road.

STAT! Some dismissals today then?!

4 - There have been four red cards shown in the last two Premier League meetings between Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park. Rumble. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 6, 2015

PREDICTION: The chaps had their say on the Sports Mole Sofa earlier, but I'll throw my opinion out there as well. Will Villa score?! That's the big question. I think they might actually end the drought today, but only in a 3-1 loss, with Eden Hazard among the goals for Chelsea.

The players are now making their way out of the tunnel and on to the Villa Park pitch. Not long now until we are off and running in Birmingham.

KICKOFF! Visiting Chelsea, who are attacking from right to left in this first half, get us underway at Villa Park.

Well, it's been a rather quiet opening four minutes at Villa Park. The most entertaining moment came when Chelsea frontman Drogba collided with referee Neil Swarbrick. It certainly received a big cheer from the supporters!

BOOKING! I certainly did not have Tom Cleverley down as a tough-tackling midfield player! The Manchester United midfielder, on loan at Villa, is cautioned early on for a late challenge on Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpilicueta.

One shot, one goal! It's clincial from Chelsea as Oscar advances down the right flank, before cutting the ball back for Willian. His cross picks out Hazard six yards from goal and the young Belgian produces a deft-flicked finish that leaves Guzan rooted to the spot. Lovely football from Chelsea's point of view, but Lambert will be wondering why there was no challenge from his defenders.

And now some of the Villa fans are starting to voice their unhappiness. Every misplaced pass is being met with groans and jeers. Villa Park is certainly not a happy ground at the moment.

It seems that those supporters are desperate to see their side score!

Villa corner. Villa fans in the end behind Courtois holding-up big arrows - to show their forwards where the goal is. Really.

— Dan Levene (@BluesChronicle) February 7, 2015

CHANCE! Would Benteke have buried this? Maybe. It's a great cross from Delph for Agbonlahor, who is quick enough to get in front of Terry. He jumps well, but can only succeed in sending his headed effort well over the crossbar. He's got to at least being working the Chelsea goalkeeper there.

STAT!

8 - Eden Hazard has had a hand in eight goals (four goals, four assists) in his last nine Premier League apps for Chelsea. Special.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 7, 2015

SAVES! Big opportunity for Oscar to double Chelsea's advantage. Cleverley is robbed in possession by Ramires, who instantly picks out Matic. He in turn plays in Oscar, who sees his powerful drive from a narrow angle pushed behind by Guzan. From the resultant corner, the keeper has a routine stop to deny Terry.

Over the last few moments, Chelsea have been playing keep-ball. It's almost as if they are trying to draw Villa on to them, before launching a counter-attack.

And still the Chelsea passing continues. It's all really controlled and measured, with Matic heavily involved in keeping things simple. At the moment it feels like only a matter of time before Chelsea's more creative players pounce and score a second goal.

MATCH ACTION! Courtesy of Getty, here is Hazard wheeling away to celebrate the goal that splits these two sides.

© Getty Images

There's big news for Chelsea coming from the Etihad Stadium, where Man City have fallen 1-0 behind to Hull City as David Meyler finds the net. If both scorelines remain the same, Chelsea will be eight points clear at 5pm.

BOOKING! Chelsea midfielder Ramires, who has been sent off on his last two visits to Villa Park, has been cautioned for pulling back Delph.

But for some great defending by Clark, Chelsea would surely be 2-0 up. It looks for all the world that Ramires is going to find the back of the net from close range, but as the Brazilian prepares to pull the trigger, in comes Clark to hack clear the danger.

Gil has comfortably been Villa's best player in the first half. Moments ago he showed great footwork inside the Chelsea box to dance away from Oscar. His cross from the byline is dangerous, but no Villa player has gambled and Cahill is able to clear the danger.

There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

There goes the whistle for the break and the wait for a Villa Premier League goal continues. In truth, they haven't really looked like ending the drought.

To be precise, it's 10 hours and 57 minutes since Villa last found the net in the Premier League. Gil has looked lively, but apart from that, it's been a toothless display. Benteke may be out of form, but at least he would provide a target man for the likes of Gil and Delph to pick out. He could well come on for Cleverley, who once again has been anonymous, which would see both Agbonlahor and Weimann move out wide.

As for Chelsea, they've not exactly gone through the gears, but that hasn't been required. They've kept possession extremely well at times and almost teased their opponents in the process. No doubt Mourinho will be wanting another goal soon after the restart to make the scoreline more comfortable. Perhaps the introduction of the more mobile Loic Remy up front may help. While Drogba has worked hard, he's not been overly involved and has tended to be wasteful on the ball.

MATCH ACTION! Courtesy of Chelsea's official Twitter feed, here is Drogba battling for possession with Clark during the first half.

Didier Drogba in action as the half-hour mark approaches at Villa Park. #CFCLive pic.twitter.com/yKHxXHYkkN — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 7, 2015

RESTART! There's no changes for either side as Villa, who trail 1-0, get us back underway at Villa Park.

CHANCE! It's been a bright start to the second half by Villa. Hutton gets down the right flank and crosses for Weimann, who is unmarked on the edge of the area. He goes for an instant half-volley, but can only send his effort over the bar. Then, moments later, Cleverley's deflected shot loops just over the crossbar.

ASTON VILLA HAVE SCORED A PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL! After almost 11 hours, the wait is over! It's fantastic from Gil once again as he gets himself enough space to cross from the right. The ball flies all the way over the back post where Okore is waiting to nod the ball in from close range. That's his first goal for Villa and what a time to score it! He's booked for his celebration, but who can blame him for going overboard!

SAVE! Good response from Chelsea as Ramires is denied by a great block from Delph and then Matic shows his low strike from distance held by Guzan.

CHANCE! Another opening for the away side as Willian works himself a couple of yards inside the penalty area. He cuts inside Westwood and drills goalwards, but the ball nestles in the side netting. Chelsea having certainly upped their performance since the Villa equaliser.

So close again for Chelsea with Willian heavily involved. He changes pace brilliantly to beat Cissokho and drill in a low cross. Drogba throws himself towards the loose ball, but he's an inch or two away from making contact as Villa survive.

PHOTO @AVFCOfficial celebrate a first #BPL goal in 659 minutes against leaders @ChelseaFC. Still 1-1 after 60 minutes pic.twitter.com/AFMUjvoIch

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 7, 2015

CHELSEA SUB: First change of the encounter from Mourinho, who brings off veteran frontman Drogba. He's been replaced by the more sprightly Remy.

It was by no means pretty, but Chelsea are back in front. That's the mark of champions! Both Okore and Delph fail to sufficiently clear Azpilicueta's cross and when the ball breaks for Ivanovic, the Serbian full-back sends a half-volley flying into the far corner of Guzan's net. He's a defender with a real eye for goal, that's for sure. Can Villa respond again?

VILLA SUB: The response from Lambert is to turn to Benteke. He's replaced Agbonlahor. Villa have ended their goal drought and now would be a good time for Benteke to follow suit.

CHELSEA SUB: Here's a sign of Mourinho's intentions as he brings off Oscar and sends on John Obi Mikel. It's a change that is likely to see Ramires push a little further forward.

VILLA SUB: And now there is a change for Villa as the disappointing Cleverley trudges off. Manchester City loanee Scott Sinclair, who came through the ranks at Chelsea, has replaced him.

Incidentally, City are still trailing 1-0 at home to Hull. So, if there are no more goals in the two games, Chelsea will be eight points in front. Surely that means that they have one hand on the Premier League trophy, doesn't it?

CHELSEA SUB: Here comes Cuadrado. He's been given the last 11 minutes on debut as he takes the place of Willian.

VILLA SUB: Villa have also made their final switch as former Chelsea playmaker Joe Cole takes the place of Weimann.

There's not much intensity about Villa, which is strange considering that they are in desperate need of a goal. As it stands, Chelsea are in control and are easing to all three points.

The home fans are doing their best to lift their team and they are getting a response of sorts. A couple of crosses have been tossed into the Chelsea area, but both have been easily cleared to safety.

As we head into five minutes of stoppage time, City have equalised at the Etihad through James Milner. It means that there will now be six points between Chelsea and the champions.

Villa continue to launch high balls into the Chelsea box, but that is playing to the strengths of Terry and Cahill. Both are clearing the danger on a regular basis. The home side need a plan B.

There goes the final whistle and it's Chelsea that have claimed all three points. What's more, City didn't score a winner and so the West Londoners are seven points clear at the top. Is the title race over? Maybe it's a bit early to say that, but Chelsea are certainly in command.

That is all we have time for from Villa Park. Thanks for joining us this afternoon, but be sure to stick with Sports Mole over the course of the evening for match reaction, analysis and player ratings. Until next time, goodbye.