Mid-table Aston Villa play host to Premier League leaders Chelsea at Villa Park in the evening match in front of the live TV cameras on Saturdaym and these are the key battles that are likely to decide the outcome of the fixture …
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Ron Vlaar v Samuel Eto’o
The west London club’s veteran Cameroon international played an absolutely crucial role in helping the league leaders overcome arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge last Saturday night, with the front man only playing after fellow attacker Fernando Torres injured his groin in the pre-match warmup.
And that latest setback for the Spaniard means that Eto’o is now set for an unexpectedly long run up front for the Blues as they look to maintain their advantage at the top of the Premier League table.
However, standing in his way in the west Midlands this weekend with be the home side’s Netherlands international, although the centre back will need to use all his experience and nous to get the better of his canny opponent.
Christian Benteke v John Terry
The powerful Belgium international has started to slowly return to the sort of imposing form in front of goal that he displayed on a regular basis in attack for Paul Lambert’s struggling out in the previous campaign of late after the front man finally managed to get over a series of niggling injuries that disrupted his campaign before Christmas.
And after turning in an impressive performance in this exact same fixture last season, the visitors’ back four will know that they will be in for a tough examination of their title credentials at Villa Park on Saturday evening by the attacker.
But if there is one player that you would want to try and quell the threat of Benteke, especially in the air where the youngster is so strong, then it would be none other than the Blues’ experienced skipper.
Leandro Bacuna v Eden Hazard
The task of trying to keep quiet the Premier League’s most in-form, dangerous and skilful midfielder this weekend falls to Villa’s former Netherlands international, although if anyone can succeed in the challenge, then it is Bacuna.
The pacy right back, who is versatile enough to be able to operate in a number of different positions, has been outstanding in what is his debut campaign in the Premier League following his move from Groningen in the summer.
And as a result, Lambert is sure to utilise the Dutchman as a right back this weekend with the specific intention of trying to the limit the damage that the world-class Belgium international can cause his side.