Champs Chelsea hoping to prove poor run is over

LONDON (AP):

Chelsea's match against out-of-form Aston Villa tomorrow represents the ideal chance for the Blues to prove they have fully recovered from a run of bad results that has threatened their defence of the Premier League title.

Chelsea's unconvincing 1-0 midweek win over Bolton was its first in seven league matches, but Villa seems to be a perfect opponent for a side now chasing consecutive wins for the first time in two months.

Villa manager Gerard Houllier is under huge pressure after guiding his team to just one win in the past seven matches, leaving it just a point above the relegation zone.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is already talking like his team's problems are over.

"It was a very difficult period," said Ancelotti, referring to Chelsea's poor form as a thing of the past.

"We have to keep going now. We have to maintain good focus on our training and on our games."

Chelsea will be without suspended defender Branislav Ivanovic at Stamford Bridge, where Florent Malouda's 10th goal of the season earned Wednesday's narrow win over Bolton and kept Chelsea in the top four.

"We are not at our best, obviously," Ancelotti said. "The best condition, the best confidence or the best atmosphere. But I think we can improve. We have to improve."

That could be bad news for a side that lost 7-1 in the corresponding fixture last season.

Villa is struggling in all departments, with too few goals up front and far too many going in at the back.

Fullback Luke Young and winger Ashley Young could both miss the game, but striker Emile Heskey should be back, after twisting his ankle in last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Tottenham.

"Luke still feels his ankle," Houllier said. "I would be surprised if he is fit for the game against Chelsea. But Emile should be OK. He is training and he should be back for the game.

"Ashley has had his first training session and it is two weeks since he last trained. So far he has looked alright. On Wednesday he trained with the reserves but he had to leave and do some work on his knee. But today he was OK."