If one thing can be guaranteed when these sides clash at Stamford Bridge it is excitement, as the last four matches have produced 24 goals.

Not many sides can say they have scored three and four times in a Premier League match at the home of the Blues. Aston Villa have in the last couple of seasons but remarkably they have not managed to end up on the winning side once, drawing 3-3 and 4-4 and also being on the end of a 7-1 hammering in between.

Saying all this, a low scoring draw on New Year's Eve would not be a surprise, given that all of Chelsea's last three games have ended 1-1, and Villa are the Premier League's draw specialists this season.

Six of their nine matches away from home have ended up tied, showing that despite the poor form of Alex McLeish's side, they are a tough nut to crack.

Chelsea's wretched form means that unless they go on a super-human run between now and the end of the season, the league title is beyond them. Manager Andre Villas-Boas has all but admitted this and now they must focus on Champions League qualification, as missing out on the top four would be unacceptable to owner Roman Abramovich.

With Didier Drogba heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, Villas-Boas may be tempted to give Fernando Torres another start despite his lack of goals. He, and the rest of the Blues team, have to get their act together fast and that has to begin with a solid home win against the Villans.

Head-to-head




• Aston Villa last won at Chelsea in the league 10 games ago, a 3-1 win on 11 May 2002.



• Frank Lampard has scored five goals in Chelsea's last two home league games against Aston Villa.



• There have been six penalties awarded in the last four meetings between Chelsea and Villa at Stamford Bridge



• This is the 143rd meeting between the sides, Villa have won 55 times and Chelsea 53. The clubs have drawn on 34 occasions.



Chelsea


• Chelsea have now dropped four points in their last three Premier League matches after having taken the lead.



• After a run of three straight league wins, the club have drawn their past three league games 1-1.



• All Juan Mata's four goals for the club have come at Stamford Bridge.xx



• Fernando Torres has scored more Premier League goals for Liverpool (four) in 2011 than he has for Chelsea (three).



Aston Villa


• Villa have now failed to score in five of their last seven Premier League matches.



• Alex McLeish's side have four 0-0 Premier League draws this season, only Swansea City have more (five), and the club have drawn more matches than any other (eight).



• In 16 Premier League games for Villa, Charles N'Zogbia has one assist, 28 shots, and no goals.