Two games today, one at Stamford Bridge and one at the DW Stadium, cap off the first gameweek of 2011. Shortly, the out-of-form Champions will be looking to climb back into the top four thanks to back-to-back wins, as they welcome the visit of the worst form side in the league, Aston Villa. Then, at 4pm, Newcastle United travel down to take on Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic in front of a packed house (not really). Join us in the Dugout Discussion, where all the day’s action be followed.
Team news from our first game is in, and here are the line-ups…
Chelsea XI: Cech, Ferreira, Bruma, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda
Villa XI: Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Clark, Ashley Young, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Downing, Heskey, Agbonlahor
As revealed earlier in the week by Carlo Ancelotti, 19-year-old Dutch defender Jeffrey Bruma partners skipper John Terry in central defence. Elsewhere, Paolo Ferreira is preferred to Jose Bosingwa, with the Portuguese international sitting on the pine.
The visitors call upon Ashley Young and Emile Heskey, who both shook off knocks to make the trip. The latter of the two is partnered up front with Gabriel Agbonlahor, meaning there is no room in midfield for Marc Albrighton. In defence, Richard Dunne is back in favour as he replaces Eric Lichaj (with Carlos Cuellar shifting role), and Ciaran Clark completes a back four composed entirely of centre backs.
Once again, all the action can be followed in the chatroom, which can be accessed right here.
