Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Chelsea and Aston Villa from Stamford Bridge. The hosts come into this game unbeaten so far this season, although they will be looking to return to winning ways in the league after being held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester City last weekend.

Jose Mourinho's charges this afternoon come up against a Villa side who themselves have made a strong start to the campaign, suffering just one defeat this season in the league to leave them sitting in third place in the early standings. Kickoff is less than an hour away, so let's take a look at how the two teams line up...

TEAM NEWS!

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Costa

ASTON VILLA STARTING XI:Guzan, Hutton, Senderos, Baker, Cissokho, Cleverley, Delph, Richardson, Westwood, Weimann, Agbonlahor

So Diego Costa, as expected, is fit enough to start at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea this afternoon. He comes back into the side as one of eight changes for the Blues from the midweek League Cup victory over Bolton Wanderers. Cesc Fabregas, another of Chelsea's key men so far this season, slots back into midfield.

Ramires misses out for the hosts, however, having picked up an abductor injury recently. Oscar, fresh on the back of his first goal of the season in that 2-1 victory over Bolton, is rewarded with a start for this clash which pits together two of the division's best two teams at this moment in time.

Villa manager Paul Lambert has a wider array of options to chose from this weekend having seen his squad struck by illness ahead of last weekend's meeting with Arsenal. Nathan Baker and Ashley Westwood both start, while Andreas Weimann has recovered from the knock which saw him depart early during that 3-0 loss to the Gunners last time out.

It means that Ciaran Clark and Carlos Sanchez both drop out of the starting lineup, while Ron Vlaar is still absent with a calf injury. There were a few questions marks over Fabian Delp's fitness, also, but he is fit enough to play a part this afternoon.

BENCH WATCH!

CHELSEA SUBSTITUTIONS: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Schurrle, Remy, Drogba

ASTON VILLA SUBSTITUTIONS: Given, Clark, Bacuna, Sanchez, N'Zogbia, Grealish, Bent

Petr Cech has to make do with a spot among the Chelsea subs this afternoon, with Thibaut Courtois back between the sticks. Andrea Schurrle, Loic Remy and Didier Drogba provide attacking options for the hosts, meanwhile, should they be called upon.

Darren Bent is another of those Villa players who was struck down by illness last weekend, but he has recovered to take up a place on the bench. Youngster Jack Grealish is also among the backups for the visitors, along with Charles N'Gogbia.

A lovely setting for today's Premier League encounter...

Pitch getting watered ahead of the game this afternoon. #AVFC #CFC #AVFCLIVE pic.twitter.com/X5KjnqkE6q — Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) September 27, 2014

Well it's been a near perfect start to the new season so far for Chelsea, who have dropped just two points in the league to date. Manchester City pegged back the Blues last weekend, despite being reduced to 10 men, with Stamford Bridge legend Frank Lampard the man to dent the 100% record. Despite the setback, if you can call it that, Chelsea still remain ahead of the chasing pack at the summit of the Premier League.

A key part to Mourinho's men's blistering start has been down to the goals of summer recruit Costa, who already has seven goals to his name. In fact, as a team Chelsea have found the net on 16 occasions, which is 10 times more than at this stage 12 months ago. The London outfit desperately lacked goals last season, but that issue has been more than rectified by a couple of key signings over the close season.

Villa themselves have fired quickly out of the blocks, racking up 10 points to sit in third place in the league table after five games. They suffered their first loss of the campaign last time out, falling 3-0 to Arsenal at Villa Park following a devastating three goals in a matter of minutes from the Gunners to end the game as a contest in the first half.

Paul Lambert will not be too concerned by the manner in which his side lost, however, in the knowledge that with a near-fully fit this afternoon, Villa can return to the form which allowed them to climb to the heights in which they currently sit following a positive start to the new term. It will be a tough ask overcoming Chelsea, though, with the Villans having been hammered 8-0 and 7-1 here in recent years.

A reminder of Chelsea's starting lineup for this afternoon's match...

The 250th starting line-up Jose Mourinho has selected for Chelsea: http://t.co/IYWgV9Nach #CFC pic.twitter.com/nUiuxW9c1j — Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) September 27, 2014

HEAD-TO-HEAD! It has been a fairly torrid time for Villa in this fixture in recent times, although the last meeting between the pair saw the side from the Midlands prevail 1-0 thanks to Delph's late winner. That ended a run of five-consecutive defeats for the Villans against today's opponents, which they will now be looking to build on. In the reverse fixture at the start of last season, Chelsea came out on top 2-1.

UPDATE! Just to bring you up-to-date, a late Phil Jagielka goal has ensured that Everton come away from Anfield with a share of the spoils in the day's early kickoff. Steven Gerrard had earlier put Liverpool ahead, but the Reds were denied late on. It changes little as far as these two teams are concerned, with Villa still in third place, while Chelsea retain their three-point cushion at the top.

There's 20 minutes to go until kickoff at Stamford Bridge, meaning that you still have time to check out Sports Mole's preview of today's game:

I've already touched on Costa's importance for Chelsea, but what about today's visitors in West London? Well it has very much been a team effort thus far, although Delph will inevitably grab much of the spotlight. His form led to a call-up to the England national side last month, and his gliding runs will no doubt cause the Blues numerous problems this afternoon.

Yet the Villa defence has too been a key aspect to their strong early-season form, with no away goals conceded to date proof that they very much build from a solid backline. In fact Lambert's charges remain the only team in the country to yet concede on their travels, a run which they will to extend at Stamford Bridge today.

STAT ATTACK! If that wasn't enough to tempt you to throw Villa into your weekend accumulator at the last minute, then how about this stat: Jose Mourinho has just win in six games against the Villans. Bogey team.

That said, Chelsea are a different beast altogether this season if their early form is anything to go by. If there's one thing we've learnt about the Blues so far, though, it is that they finish stronger than they start on the whole. Eight of their last nine goals have come in the second half, while they have recovered seven points from losing positions so far - a league high.

PREDICTION! With all that in mind, I believe that Villa will give Chelsea a real battle this afternoon, although Mourinho's men will prevail with a 3-1 triumph.

A good omen...

4 - Branislav Ivanovic has scored four goals in his last four @premierleague starts against Aston Villa. Bonus.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 27, 2014

The teams are now in the tunnel with kickoff just a few minutes away. It's another big afternoon of Premier League action, and with another international break right around the corner, every point counts right now. Can Villa pull off a surprise to match their victory at Anfield a fortnight ago? Can Chelsea continue to rack up the points and further extent their lead at the top? Let's find out...

KICKOFF! Here we go then, as Villa get us underway at Stamford Bridge. A great atmosphere being generated this afternoon by both sets of supporters.

Cissokho concedes a needless corner early on for Villa, which is headed away by Baker. Oscar is being fielded in a central position incidentally, with Willian out wide.

Chelsea just probing away at the moment, and Fabregas has the opportunity to add another assist to his name, chipping a free kick into the box which Ivanovic heads goalwards. No breakthrough for the hosts as of yet, though.

Ivanovic goes on one of his bursts down the right-hands side, and swings a deep cross into the box which is just about headed away from Costa who was waiting. Villa not able to get into this game at the moment.

What a start for Chelsea, who make their early spell of possession count with a goal through Oscar. Ivanovic started the move, playing the ball into the path of Willian who initially saw his shot kept out by Brad Guzan. The ball came back to the Brazilian, though, and cut it back to his countryman Oscar who was left to fire home from close range.

Ivanovic and Baker have been down receiving treatment for the last couple of minutes but both look as though they will be able to continue. Villa have by no means been bossed out of this game by the league leaders, and since the goal especially they have played some nice football.

Two goals in a week for Oscar then, and Chelsea have never lost when he has scored. He showed some great movement to get in the right position to score the opener, and Willian got the assist from his starting position out wide.

Fabregas is playing in a deep midfield role this afternoon alongside Matic, but he is very much involved in and around the Villa box and almost sets up a second. He slides the ball through to Ivanovic who is again in an attacking position, but the ball just overruns.

SHOT! Chelsea looking very good so far, and Willian comes close to adding a second. He was through on the left but could only find the side-netting with his strike from an admittedly tight angle which took a deflection on its way.

Seven Villa players now standing in the hole when the Blues push forward - the position in which Chelsea's players just love hovering around. Very congested in that zone.

CHANCE! Well Villa could well have been level here. A corner was allowed to bounce inside the box, and Cissokho latched onto the ball, hooking a shot narrowly wide of the target. Courtois looked to have it covered to be fair, but half a chance nonetheless.

Fabregas as ever at the heart at everything good as far as Chelsea are concerned. He is getting a lot of joy on the ball at the moment, although Chelsea are not quite finding an end product when around the box.

Costa runs towards Senderos with the ball as he looks to get into the box and there was only ever going to be one winner - Senderos! The Switzerland international had to get it spot on as he dived into the challenge, but he came out on top. It's been a good start to life in the Claret and Blue for the centre-back.

A poor throwing from Villa allows Chelsea to regain the ball. Ivanovic flashes a pass to Costa who looks to be in, but he could not quite control the high ball. The visitors very nearly the victims of their own downfall then.

YELLOW CARD! Gary Cahill goes into the book for cynically bringing down Gabriel Agbonlahor. I don't think the defender released John Terry was closely behind him, so the challenge didn't need to be made.

Fabregas once more looking for that ball over the top which just about runs out of play. The Spaniard is dictating play from his deep position at the moment.

No way through for Costa at the moment...

#CFC 1-0 #AVFC - MATCH PIC: @AndiWeimann up against Diego Costa. #AVFCLIVE pic.twitter.com/w5yS3ajr5G

— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) September 27, 2014

CHANCE! Some good play down the left allows Oscar to cut inside, and he picks out Fabregas on the edge of the box who is left in some space. The midfielder rather snatches at his effort, though, with the ball failing to test Guzan. Should have done better from there.

SAVE! It's almost like a game of chess at the moment, although one side is asking all of the questions. Fabregas and Matic in particular just knocking the ball around from left to right as they wait to pounce on an opening. Oscar very nearly did so but couldn't pick out a teammate when free inside the box, while Costa's header was well handled by Guzan.

Chelsea upping the tempo further, and Willian manages to pick out Costa who is stood on the edge of the box, but the Spanish striker struggles to get the ball out of his feet. Costa does manage to win a corner, however, with Ivanovic coming close to bagging a goal with his header.

Villa losing possession far too easily at times, but credit to them because they quickly get back into shape. A case of keeping the game tight before capitalising on late chances, perhaps? We've seen it so many times before from none other than Jose Mourinho.

Villa manage to string together more than one or two passes in the opposition half, but Hutton consequently loses the ball when he swings into towards the box. Chelsea come forward once more...

SHOT! Much better from Villa as they ask Chelsea some questions of their own. Weimann finds space in the hole but struggles to find a way through with his shot, while Delph fires wide from the edge of the box. The Villans' first attempt on goal of the afternoon.

Some nice play from Delph in the middle allows the visitors to get some bodies forward, but Cissokho is unable to pick any of his teammates out with his cross, Courtois collecting with ease. Villa looking the better side over the last five minutes, but it has been a different story for large parts of the half.

Chelsea push forward as we enter the final two minutes of the half, but it seems as though everyone other than Courtois is in the Villa final third at the moment. The visitors are making it extremely difficult for their opponents to find a way through. Willian is forced to fire high and wide from distance.

Oscar's goal on seven minutes the difference between the two sides as the interval, the Brazilian finding the back of the net from close range after being picked out by Willian.

Chelsea have been good value for their lead, but credit to Villa for making it tough for their opponents in the final third. Paul Lambert's side look to get as many bodies as possible around the area when the Blues are in possession of the ball, and that early goal aside they have done well.

It will be interesting to see how the second half pans out, with Villa having to come out of their shell a little more if they are to salvage a point. That said, the final five minutes or so of the first period saw the Claret and Blue enjoy their best spell of the game. More of that will be needed after the interval.

UPDATE! Manchester City, who are Chelsea's biggest rivals right now in the hunt for the Premier League title, are currently being held 2-2 by Hull City. The Citizens let slip an early two-goal lead at the KC Stadium, leaving them seven points adrift of the Blues as things stand. Long way to go yet, of course.

MATCH STATS! In terms of this afternoon's match at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea dominate the chances created column, getting away eight shots in the first half, three of which were on target. Villa, on the other hand, failed to test Courtois and fired away a solitary two attempts at goal.

Well the teams are back out onto the field ahead of the second 45 minutes. Still plenty to play for!

SECOND HALF! No changes at the interval as Chelsea, in their traditional all-blue kit, get us underway.

SHOT! A great effort from Delph early on, with the midfielder's confidence clearly up right now. He tries his luck from 25-yards out, and his left-foot attempt wasn't a million miles away.

Aston Villa already looking more fluent in their passing early on in the half. Cleverley in particular is getting hold of the ball more now, as the visitors go in search of a leveller.

YELLOW CARD! Well I've just praised him, but Cleverley is the second player to enter the ref's book for bringing down Oscar.

Agbonlahor brings Villa forward once more, but his back-post cross is easily dealt with. It allows Chelsea to mount a counter-attack, but Hazard is too pedestrian on the ball. More holes to burst into now for the home side - can they make the most of it?

Chance for Villa to test Chelsea's defence once more as they win a corner. Westwood disappointingly fails to beat the first man, however, and the league leaders clear their lines. Moments later another set piece is conceded by the hosts, and this time the delivery is better, although Baker headed over.

YELLOW CARD! Fabregas is the next player to be cautioned for his foul on Agbonlahor.

Diego Costa nets his eighth goal of the season as Chelsea double their lead at Stamford Bridge. The Spanish international showed brilliant movement inside the box, getting ahead of Baker and heading home Azpilacueta's cross from the left.

Incidentally, that makes Costa the first Chelsea player in 11 years to score in his first three home league games. The last? Adrian Mutu.

And another Costa related stat for you...

8 - Diego Costa has scored eight goals in his first six PL appearances; Micky Quinn (10) is the only player to score more. Rampant.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 27, 2014

YELLOW CARD! Senderos is the second Villa player to be booked following his trip on Costa.

OFF THE LINE! Very nearly a second goal of the afternoon for Oscar, who sees his effort scrambled off the line by Cissokho. The midfielder poked his effort past Guzan, but it didn't quite cross the line in time before it was cleared away.

All Chelsea now, and the tension around Stamford Bridge has been lifted. Villa were really growing into the game until Costa added his side's second.

CHANCE! Chelsea playing some great football now, and they came so close to adding a decisive third. Hazard's trickery allows him to find some space in the box, but Costa was unable to get a touch on his resulting cross which was fizzed across goal.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Schurrle is finally introduced in place of Hazard after waiting on the touchline for the ball to go out for the last five minutes. N'Zogbia and Bent are brought on for Villa, meanwhile, with Richardson and Weimann departing.

SAVE! Courtois is called into action down low to deny Hutton of all people. At 2-0 up Chelsea look comfortable, but it is by no means over quite yet.

A little under 20 minutes remaining at Stamford Bridge...

#CFC 2-0 #AVFC - MATCH PIC: @ARWesty15 battles with @Cesc4Official. #AVFCLIVE ' pic.twitter.com/6kgROqirCF — Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) September 27, 2014

Agbonlahor draws a foul out of Matic out wide, offering Villa a chance to get a cross into the box. They have disappointed from set pieces all afternoon, and that doesn't change on this occasion with nothing coming of the chance.

All very quiet over the last seven or eight minutes as Chelsea keep the ball ticking over. Fifteen minutes remaining with Chelsea largely in command.

CHELSEA SUBSTITUTION! Mourinho makes his intentions known as he withdraws Oscar in place of John Obi Mikel. The Nigerian will sit tightly in front of the defence.

Three goals and surely three points for Chelsea now. Willian is the man with the goal, tapping in from close range after Costa saw his initial effort parried away by Guzan. Senderos could have shown the striker out wide, but instead allowed him to drift into a shooting position, and the damage was very much done.

CHELSEA SUBSTITUTION! Another successful afternoon for Costa comes to an end as Loic Remy enters the fold. Fabregas will play just behind the striker now, with Mikel alongside Matic.

All very quiet now at the Bridge as Chelsea professionally see out the game. Villa have just about accepted defeat now, and it looks like successive three-goal reverses for them now.

Guzan shows some brave keeping to deny Remy as the game enters its closing stages. Chelsea looking very comfortable in possession now. They've shown some real quality this afternoon.

Villa have no intention to press for a consolation goal, instead sitting back and looking to hold Chelsea out. Next up for the Villans incidentally is a trip to face the champions.

Chelsea just keeping the ball ticking over, as has been the case for the last 10 minutes or so.

Well the referee could have blown his whistle after the third, because the contest was all over at that point. Nonetheless Chelsea have showed once more today when they are many neutrals' favourites to lift the Premier League trophy this season.

The Blues showed some real patience at times in the first half, and they were duly rewarded in the second when Diego Costa bagged his eighth goal of the season, and Willian made sure of the points 10 minutes from time. Villa showed glimmers of hope at times, but they were second best for the majority of the game, with Manchester City next up.

Well that's all from me for now, but stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you all the reaction from Stamford Bridge, as well as a full match analysis and player ratings.