Hello everyone! Following a week of international action, the Premier League is back with a host of crucial games this weekend. Here, we will be focusing on events in West London, as Chelsea look to get their season back on track against Aston Villa.

Jose Mourinho's side have had a couple of months to forget, and the defending champions have already lost four games in the league this season. They were beaten at home by Southampton in their last outing and another poor result this afternoon will surely pile on the pressure.

It has been an even worse start to the season for Villa, who have lost six of their last seven games in the top flight and are already four points away from safety. Their only win came on the opening day of the season, and another battle against the drop looks likely for Tim Sherwood and his players.

There has been plenty of talk throughout the week over which players will start and who will be dropped from today's match, so let's see how the they line up, as the teams news has arrived.

Build-up pix: View inside Stamford Bridge ahead of kick-off. #AVFC #CFC #CHEAVL pic.twitter.com/a4DzX7nkgf

— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) October 17, 2015

CHELSEA XI: Begovic; Rahman, Terry, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Loftus-Cheek, Ramires; Wilian, Fabregas, Pedro; Diego Costa

ASTON VILLA XI: Guzan; Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Richardson; Gueye, Westwood, Gil; Grealish, Ayew, Gestede

CHELSEA SUBS: Blackman, Cahill, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Hazard, Remy

ASTON VILLA SUBS: Bunn, Bacuna, Amavi, Sanchez, Crespo, Traore, Sinclair

As you can see, Jose Mourinho has not been afraid to change things around for the Blues this afternoon, with a number of first-team regulars named on the bench. Eden Hazard is the highest profile absentee from the starting XI, while Gary Cahill and Nemanja Matic also have to settle for a place on the bench, after some under-par displays in recent weeks.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be hoping that he can take advantage of Chelsea's problems, as he is handed a start in the centre of the midfield alongside Ramires. Another player who will be looking to stake his place for a regular start is summer signing Baba Rahman, who comes in for the injured Branislav Ivanovic.

Further up the pitch it is a strong looking Chelsea attack, with Diego Costa leading the line. The Brazilian has only scored one goal this season, and the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Wilian and Pedro will be expected to provide him with support in the final third.

Meanwhile, the visitors have chosen Rudy Gestede to spearhead their attack, with Jack Grealish and Jordan Ayew brought in to complete a forward trio. There are a couple of other changes from the team who lost to Stoke last time out, as Kieran Richardson and Carles Gil both start.

So, Chelsea's problems since the start of the new season have been well documented and a second title in a row for the Blues already looks a long way off. They are currently 16th in the table after eight league games and are closer to the relegation zone than leaders Manchester City.

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They have already lost more games this season than they did in the entire campaign last time around, with the latest of those defeats coming against Southampton two weeks ago before the international break.

A stunning early free kick from Willian had given the Blues the lead, but Steven Davis fired in to level before the break. Sadio Mane then put Southampton ahead, before Graziano Pelle struck a third to seal the win for the visitors, and condemn Chelsea to their second loss of the week, after being beaten by Porto in the Champions League four days earlier.

After the game, Jose Mourinho claimed that the referee Robert Madley was afraid to give his side a penalty when Radamel Falcao went over under a challenge by keeper Martin Stekelenburg in an explosive post-match interview. He was handed a suspended one-match stadium ban and fined £50,000 by the Football Association for comments made about match officials earlier this week, but has since described the punishment as a "disgrace".

With the pressure unrelenting from the media, the international break may have come at a good time for Chelsea, and indeed their opponents this afternoon. Aston Villa have badly struggled, and with just four points on the board, they are firmly rooted inside the relegation zone.

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Should they lose today, and Newcastle and Sunderland claim their first wins of the season, then they may very well find themselves bottom of the table come Sunday evening. It does appear as though they will be in for another relegation battle, after narrowly avoiding the drop last season.

Last season the goals of Christian Benteke helped them stay up, but it remains to be seen who will fill the void this time around. Rudy Gestede and Scott Sinclair look the most likely to find the net, and they have contributed to five of the club's eight league goals this season.

If a trip to Stamford Bridge wasn't daunting enough, then a look at Villa's upcoming fixtures will hardly improve the mood. They will look for their first home win of the season against Swansea City next weekend, before travelling to Southampton in the League Cup. After that they will pay a visit to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham and a week later face Manchester City at Villa Park.

Chelsea have a fine record in recent years against Villa, and they have won six of the last seven meetings between the two teams. That includes an 8-0 victory for the Blues at Stamford Bridge three years ago, with Villa's only success in that period a 1-0 win last March, with their opponents finishing the match with nine men.

The two league meetings last season both ended in Chelsea wins. Last September goals from Oscar, Diego Costa and Willian saw the Blues romp to a 3-0 victory in London, and when they last played in February, Branislav Ivanovic's second-half goal helped Chelsea to a 2-1 win.

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KICKOFF! We are underway at Stamford Bridge!

The Blues have been dominant in the opening minutes of the match, without causing any problems for the Villa defence. Their fans are also in full voice too, with chants of Jose Mourinho ringing out around the ground.

SHOT! It's Villa who threaten first as Grealish wins a free kick on the left after a jinking run. The resulting free kick is headed clear by Terry to Gil, who is just outside the box, but the midfielder's strike is poor and flies harmlessly over the bar.

SHOT! At the other end of the pitch Chelsea cause panic in the Villa backline as Pedro charges down the left. He then pulls it back for Loftus-Cheek, who tries to pick out the bottom corner from the edge of the box, but his low effort deflects just wide of the post.

Loftus-Cheek has looked very lively in the early stages of the match and he is getting into some promising areas. He is also pressuring the Villa midfield to give the ball away cheaply and his manager will be hoping for much more of that this afternoon.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Villa to take an early lead as Hutton overpowers Rahman down the right and charges into the box. He then drills in a low strike which is saved by Begovic at his near post, and when the rebound comes back out to him, he hammers the ball wide of the far post, with plenty of support arriving in the middle.

Villa have really started to come into this match and they are getting into some advanced areas in the Chelsea half. For a team who are in the bottom three, they look full of confidence and they sense that they could get something from today's match.

SHOT! The visitors break quickly from a Chelsea corner, with Gil charging through the midfield and laying it off to Gestede. The striker then plays it out wide to Grealish, who cuts inside and onto his left foot, before drilling in a low strike that lacks enough venom to cause Begovic any problems.

Chelsea have been guilty of losing the ball cheaply on a few occasions and there is a lack of fluency whenever they come forward. It really is a far cry from the sort of football they were playing this time last season, when a lot of people felt that they may have gone through the campaign undefeated.

Grealish has enjoyed a fine start to the afternoon and another fine run through the midfield sees him win a free kick on the edge of the box after being fouled by Azpilicueta. It has given his side a free kick in a promising position and Ayew is over the ball.

SHOT! Ayew does indeed take the set piece, but he ends up curling the ball just over the bar. The technique was fine from the Ghana international, but Begovic was always confident that the shot was heading over the top.

It's still not quite working for Chelsea in the final third, and Costa has not had a chance to test Guzan. He has been starved off service from his teammates, who have not been able to get in behind enough to seriously trouble the visitors.

This is a very good chance for Chelsea to find the net, as they have won a free kick in a central position outside the box. Westwood brought down Pedro with a clumsy tackle and it appears as though Willian is going to take the set piece.

SHOT! Rather surprisingly Willian doesn't take the free kick, despite his goalscoring form in recent weeks. Instead he lays it off to Ramries, who hammers a low strike into the wall, before the Villa defence clear the danger.

CHANCE! Villa have looked the more threatening team in this opening half and they create another wonderful opening. From a quick break, Ayew breaks free down the left and whips a teasing low cross into the middle. Gestede then arrives to meet the ball, but under pressure from Terry he is only able to direct it over the bar.

Villa may have played the better football in this first half, but a horrendous mistake at the back has cost them dearly. Guzan's poor pass to Lescott is cut out by Willian, who then charges into the box and squares for Costa to tap the ball in from close range. It was a howler from the keeper and it has suddenly lifted the mood at Stamford Bridge.

I'm sure that Sherwood will be furious at Guzan for his part in the goal, as the keeper should have just cleared the ball instead of trying to play it short. It has cost his team dearly, as they had looked the side more likely to open the scoring this afternoon.

SHOT! Willian is given the chance to fire in a free kick when Pedro is brought down by a rash tackle from Richards on the left. He is at a wide angle, and tries to curl one into the far corner, but it was hit straight at Guzan, who holds on to make the save.

SHOT! This is better from Villa, who work a good chance on the edge of the Chelsea box. Gestede wins a long ball and flicks it into the path of Grealish. He then lays it off for Westwood to hit, but Begovic reads the strike well and makes a comfortable save.

SHOT! There is every chance of the visitors getting back into the match if Grealish keeps up his fine form. He shows his skill once again by driving into the box from the left, before firing in a low strike at the near post which is held by the keeper.

PENALTY APPEAL! Villa lose the ball poorly again with Richardson giving it away to Costa. The Brazilian then bursts into the box and goes down under pressure from Richardson, but the referee waves away his penalty appeals. There didn't seem to be too much contact between the two players and I think that the match official has made the right call.

There will be just one minute added on to the end of the first half.

We've reached the halfway stage of this afternoon's match at Stamford Bridge, and it's Chelsea who are in the lead. A strike from Diego Costa, after a poor defensive mistake, means that the hosts are on their way to a morale-boosting victory, although they have been far from their best.

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Let's take a look at the stats from the opening 45 minutes. It has been all square in terms of possession, with both teams seeing 50% of the ball. They have each had five attempts on goal, with two of Chelesa's efforts finding the target, as opposed to just one of Villa's shots.

It's been a busy afternoon across the Premier League, with no less than six games kicking off at 3pm. Manchester City look as if they will stay top, after romping into a 4-1 lead over Bournemouth. Their neighbours Manchester United are currently 2-0 up against Everton, while Southampton are beating Leicester City 2-1. Elswhere, Crystal Palace are level at 1-1 with West Ham and West Brom are sharing a goalless stalemate with Sunderland.

RESTART! Chelsea take the kick off and get us back underway for the second half.

SUB! The Blues have made a change at half time, with Matic coming on to replace Loftus-Cheek. The Serbian came on as a substitute against Southampton last time out, before he was later taken off.

SHOT! If Villa are going to get back into this match, then I'm sure that Grealish will play a huge part. The midfielder shows great skill to go past Azpilicueta on the left wing, before cutting inside and firing a strike wide of the far post.

YELLOW CARD! Ayew is shown the first card of the match for bringing down Ramires with a poor tackle from behind.

Villa have seen plenty of the ball since the break and they still look capable of giving Chelsea a host of problems. At the moment they seem content to pass the ball around their backline and slowly build their way up the pitch.

It's another cruel blow for Villa, as Chelsea score their second goal of the afternoon. The Blues break quickly and Costa is picked out by a pass over the top from Fabregas. He then cuts inside onto his right foot and fires in a drive which takes a huge deflection off Hutton and leaves Guzan wrong footed as the ball drops into the net.

Villa will feel that they have been hard done by today due to the manner of each of Chelsea's goals. The first was a mistake that could easily have been prevented, and the second was an unfortunate deflection that left the keeper with no chance of making a save.

SHOT! Chelsea are looking to kill this game off and they are on the attack with Pedro being found by Costa's pass. The Spaniard then works some room and gets the ball onto his left foot, before trying to curl a strike into the top corner, but his effort heads comfortably wide.

CHANCE! Costa has a decent opportunity to get on the scoresheet again when he breaks free at the back post to meet an inch-perfect cross from Fabregas. However, he is slightly put off by Hutton's jump in front off him and can only tamely head the ball into the gloves of the keeper.

YELLOW CARD! It's another booking for Villa, as Richardson is shown yellow for dragging back Willian.

SUB! Villa are making their first change of the match, with Amavi coming on for Richardson.

You just wonder if there is any way back for Villa, as a goal in the next 10 minutes could make the crowd a bit nervy at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have not been at their best defensively in recent weeks, but have not been seriously troubled on too many occasions today.

SUB! It's another change for Villa, as Traore is brought on to replace Ayew.

CHANCE! A free kick from Villa causes all manner of problems and the ball drops to Lescott at the back post. The defender then tries to fire in a strike, but Azpilicueta was there to make a vital block and send the ball out for a corner.

SHOT! The visitors are putting the Blues under a host of pressure at the moment and Gestede rises highest to meet a corner. However, the striker is unable to get his header on target, and directs his effort well wide of the far post.

YELLOW CARD! Willian is the latest player to be booked, after a rash challenge on Gueye.

Villa may be pushing for another goal, but the Blues look capable of picking them off on the break. There is so much space for them when they come forward on the counter attack, but on this latest occasion, Pedro decides to shoot from range and sees his shot blocked, instead of trying to pick out a teammate either side of him.

CHANCE!! Chelsea are starting to look back to their old selves and a fine team move sees Willian break down the right. He then slides it into the box for the arriving Fabregas, but from a tight angle, the Spaniard can only lash his effort across the keeper and wide of the post.

SUB! Hazard is going to get a late run out for the Blues, with Pedro the man to make way.

YELLOW CARD! Grealish goes in with a late tackle on Azpilicueta that earns him a deserved booking.

The points look in the bag for Chelsea now and they are easing their way to the final whistle. Villa have run out of steam, and since conceding the second goal, a comeback has never really looked on the cards.

We all know how much Costa likes to get involved in riling up the opposition and he appears to kick out at Westwood after a tangle between the players. He doesn't need to get involved in any off the ball antics now, and he is only just back from his recent suspension for his unsavoury antics against Arsenal.

There are going to be at least four minutes of stoppage time.

SUB! Chelsea make their final change of the match, as Remy comes on to replace Willian, who leaves to a standing ovation.

The rest of stoppage time passes by without much incident, and Chelsea hold on to pick up the three points. Diego Costa's strike and an own goal from Alan Hutton has given them a much-needed win to ease the pressure on Jose Mourinho and his under-fire players.

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I'm afraid that just about does it for our coverage this afternoon. There is match analysis and ratings from Stamford Bridge to come later, but we do have more live action from the Premier League, as Arsenal take on Watford. You can keep up to date with that match right here. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Goodbye!