Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea: The one where Luk is back

Romelu Lukaku - super sub

Chelsea's battle with Covid roulette hit another hurdle just hours before kicking off at Aston Villa. The home side's mid-week clash with Leeds was postponed leaving Villa free to field their strongest possible team while the Blues still had to consider their game against Brighton - among the current injuries and positive tests.

Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa: The One that Chelsea threw away

This man is goals

Frank Lampard rung in the changes following Chelsea's embarrassing defeat at Arsenal. In part to send a warning, in part because Monday's Aston Villa clash fell less than 48 hours later. Only the boss really knows. 

Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea: The first one of Project Restart

Frank Lampard sits where he wants

It took more than 100 days but the Premier League is finally back in all of our lives. But not quite as we know it. No fans, lots of elbow bumps and far too many water breaks. But who cares?! How good was it to be able to watch Chelsea again? And by good I definitely mean nerve wracking and a bit shouty at times, at least in my front room.

Aston Villa vs Chelsea: The One We Saw Duck, Duck, Guus

What scoring your first PL goal should look like!

The only takeaways anyone can truly have from Saturday are the curries they picked up after the match. A result against an Aston Villa team, who could see themselves relegated from the Championship next season, is about as meaningful as Falcao’s signing.

So, it’s no surprise that Guus Hiddink used the opportunity to select Saturday’s lineup by throwing darts at a team sheet against the wall. Because why not. It was Aston Villa (sorry Villains) and Chelsea have nothing left to play for. Aside from that alluring Europa League spot that is well within reach.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa: The One that Chelsea Won

No Cesc, you don't get assists when Own Goal scores

Like spotting a Yeti, fans at Stamford Bridge were treated to a rare sighting on Saturday - Vin Diesel. And almost as good as that was - a win! Huzzah!! It was touch and go at times, but Saturday’s relegation battle saw Chelsea come away with all three points and reach the dizzying heights of 11th in the table! That’s right boys and girls — Chelsea are within touching distance of that elusive half of the table. And if that wasn't enough - they're almost evens on goal differential. No longer the worst defense in the league. Hope you lot got your pints in.

If ever there was a team that Chelsea needed to face in midst of - we'll call it a slump - it would be Aston Villa. The hosts have outscored Villa 13-1 in their last 3 visits and Tactics Tim has been struggling. And by struggling I mean taking 1 point from his last 21 going into Saturday's match. Not to say there was a hope in hell of another 8-0 appearing out of the mist … Chelsea are not Newcastle. But with his back firmly planted against the wall, Tim Sherwood was always going to play conservatively - despite the teams that have come to Stamford Bridge before Villa this season and just had a proper go.

Aston Villa v Chelsea: Goals, Ghost Goals, Red Cards, Injuries and Number Two Oh Three

Torres and Mata celebrate Lampard's 203rd
Eden Hazard celebrates Torres' bottom

After Chelsea slipped up against Spurs in their Champions League spot playoff of sorts - or a trophy as Arsenal see it - they only had two games left to guarantee their futures. The CL is more than just a jaunt to the continent, but could also be the defining factor in a special return, what players could be in and out over the summer. But it wasn’t like Chelsea were taking on someone they’d knocked in eight against over Christmas ... 

Of course the 66 other games Chelsea have somehow managed to play have begun to take their toll on bodies and minds. It’s the only sensible explanation for Ramires’ ‘performance’ yesterday. Two rash challenges and Lee Mason decided to improve Chelsea’s chances by sending him for an early shower. 

A goal and a man down going into the second half, you’d think Chelsea were facing a team who were in a relegation battle and needed a win to guarantee their safety. And with tactical wizard Bentiez at the helm, what could go wrong? Well, er, nothing this time. Or nothing that he could control anyways. 

Capital One Cup's First Leg Semi A Bit Embarrassing

"Think. Think. Think. Ok Frank, I think I will put you
on for another CM, non."

About time to take up the mantra of everyone else who exits the competition and say the newly branded Capital One Cup doesn’t matter? Swarth ourselves in that Luke Skywalker in a ton-ton? Feels right, but smells just as gash. There is no glory in being eliminated from any competition, no matter how ‘mickey mouse’ the trophy is.

On a technicality, neither Villa or Chelsea are out of this semi-final. But it never really felt like either were really in it. With Villa facing Bradford City in Tuesday’s match, I opted to just keep on living my life rather than watch - which I’ve clearly now regretted. For no greater moment than Michael Owen letting twitter know that Bradford were “on fire”. That was more awkward than anyone still referring to him as a footballer.

Swansea have showed everyone, that despite the departure of Being Brendan, they are still a formidable addition to the Premier League, maybe even moreso with Michael Laudrup in charge, and Michu leading the line. So despite the 3-1 predictions that were being bandied about (moreso from the previous night’s result than anything else) it was going to be a tough game.

Some Premature Excitement from Benitez' Supporters

Difficult to fill in for a club legend - moreso
if you're name is Benitez. Fact.

Everyone take a moment and think to yourselves - when is premature ever really a good thing?

No instances? None? ....  Exactly.

But thanks to a lot of column inches needing filled before the transfer window bursts open with aplomb, there needs to some other more 'substantial' controversy. What better story to focus on than Chelsea supporters and who they should support. The 'hows' of supporting were covered quite thoroughly earlier this season when Chelsea supporters stole Arsenal's favourite song - BOO.