Preview: Chelsea vs. Aston Villa

Chelsea will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League this weekend.

Jose Mourinho's side sit at the top of the table with four wins from their first five matches of the campaign, having dropped their first points of the season against defending champions Manchester City last weekend.

The manager made nine changes to that side for their League Cup match against Bolton Wanderers in midweek, so should have a well-rested squad for the visit of Paul Lambert's side.

Ramires missed the Capital One Cup outing with an adductor injury, although it is not thought that it is a serious injury, while Diego Costa, who has been nursing an ongoing hamstring issue, should return after sitting out the Bolton game.

Oscar could also come into the starting lineup, having scored his first goal of the season during the 2-1 win over the Championship side on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Villa head to Stamford Bridge off the back of their first defeat in the league this season.

With several players missing through illness, Lambert's men were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal last weekend, leaving them third in the table heading into this match.

Unlike this weekend's opponents, Villa have had the week off, having lost in the second round of the League Cup to Leyton Orient earlier in the season.

Nathan Baker, Darren Bent and Ashley Westwood all missed the match against the Gunners with a virus, while Andreas Weimann was forced off at half time and Fabian Delph also complained of symptoms, resulting in the club quarantining the training ground.

Ron Vlaar also missed the last outing with a calf injury, although it is not expected that the knock will keep the captain sidelined long term, so he could be ready to return on Saturday.

Villa have lost their last five matches in all competitions against Chelsea.

Recent form

Chelsea: WWWWD

Aston Villa: WDWWL

Possible starting lineups

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Filipe Luis, Matic, Oscar, Fabregas, Hazard, Costa

Aston Villa: Guzan, Senderos, Vlaar, Clark, Cissokho, Delph, Sanchez, Cleverley, Richardson, Weimann, Agbonlahor

Sports Mole says: 2-1