I LOVED the line from Jose Mourinho in midweek when he said “you need at least five good hearders of the ball or you're dead at set-pieces”.
He was speaking after losing Branislav Ivanovic to injury (leaving him with only three who are good in the air) and the words must have been music to the ears of Villa gaffer Tim Sherwood whose side boast one of the best headers of a ball in Rudy Gestede.
Three of former Blackburn star Gestede's four goals this season have been nodded home – including a cracker at Liverpool – so he must fancy his chances against a Blues defence that's already conceded 17 goals.
Chelsea are no bigger than 4-11 at sportingbet and while they should win I prefer both teams to score pays 1-1 at William Hill, bet365 and Betfred.
Villa are also struggling but netted twice at Anfield last time out and have scored on four of their last six visits to the Bridge. Gestede is 5-1 at betfair to score at any time and 12-1 to break the deadlock.
So as The Specials said our message to you Rudy is: “Stick your head on one”.
There can be some strange results after internationals with many players having travelled thousands of miles across different time zones and goals could be the way to go this weekend.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp starts out at Spurs and it's difficult debut with both to score again a shout at 4-6 with bet365 and Betfred.
Crystal Palace v West Ham and Southampton v Leicester also look great shouts for both scoring.
A speculative bet on all btts at all seven Premier League matches today (excluding Watford v Arsenal at 5.30pm) pays 74-1 at 10bet. Leave out a slightly dodgy West Brom and Sunderland and you get 36-1 for the sixfold.
Recommended Bets
Chelsea v Aston Villa btts
(1-1, William Hill)
Gestede to score
(5-1, betfair)
Berahino to score first
(5-1, bet365, BetVictor)
Pelle anytime scorer for Southamton
Ramsay anytime scorer for Arsenal
Double
If Chelsea continue their woeful run of form, Villa could nick a 1-1 draw. However, if the blues decide to actually show up for work this time, Villa could be crucified. BTTS is not a bad bet I suppose and if anyone will score, it’ll most likely be Gestede.