Preview: Chelsea vs. Aston Villa

Chelsea will play their first Premier League match in over two weeks when they host Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Blues return to domestic action having been beaten in the final of the Club World Cup in Japan before thrashing Leeds United 5-1 in midweek to book their place in the League Cup semi-finals.

Chelsea go into the match with a poor recent record in the league, however, having won just one of their last eight Premier League matches - a run that has seen them fall 13 points behind league leaders Manchester United.

Villa, meanwhile, will be in confident mood having gone five games without a defeat in the league, including a fine 3-1 win against Liverpool at Anfield in their last outing.

The hosts will be without suspended Jon Obi Mikel, while John Terry and Oriol Romeu are struggling with injuries.

Villa are also missing some key players with injuries, with Darren Bent, Richard Dunne and Ron Vlaar all sidelined.

Recent form

Chelsea: LDDLW

Aston Villa: DWDDW

Possible starting lineups

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole; Lampard, Ramires; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres

Aston Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Herd, Clark, Baker, Lichaj; Westwood, Holman, Bannan; Weimann; Benteke

Sports Mole says: 3-0