Sport

Bridge warns Villa of a backlash from Chelsea

Aston Villa v Chelsea Villa Park, 7

Wed Dec 17 2003 - 00:00

Aston Villa v Chelsea Villa Park, 7.45 On TV: Sky Sports 2Wayne Bridge warned Aston Villa they could face a backlash from Chelsea in tonight's English League Cup tie after the Blues' third defeat of the season.Chelsea travel to Villa Park after being beaten 2-1 by Bolton last Saturday, when a last-minute own goal by John Terry enabled Arsenal to leapfrog them back to the top of the table.

However, Bridge insists Claudio Ranieri's side will not be downhearted as they have already shown this season they can bounce back from setbacks.

When they lost 2-0 to Besiktas in the Champions League at the start of October, they responded with a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough.

And when they were defeated 2-1 at Highbury later that month, they beat Lazio 2-1 at home just a few days later. Indeed, Chelsea have not even drawn back-to-back games so far this season.

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Bridge told Chelsea TV: "Everyone is going to think positive and we're going to bounce back and fight to stay at the top of the league.

"It's how you react to results like this that matters. We've had bad results before and battled back so the lads aren't going to just sit down and sulk about it. We'll get out there and fight."

Chelsea have already beaten Villa this season in the Premiership, although only by a 1-0 margin at Stamford Bridge at the end of September, when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink struck the winner. However, Ranieri will presumably make several changes to his side at Villa Park, especially as some players were looking tired at the end of last Saturday's game.

Emmanuel Petit, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Juan Sebastian Veron are definite absentees due to long-term injuries, Glen Johnson is also doubtful after twisting his ankle against Bolton.

But Ranieri will presumably recall the likes of Hasselbaink, Mario Melchiot, William Gallas, Geremi and Joe Cole.

Villa manager David O'Leary will have to gamble on a not fully fit Ronny Johnsen after missing three games with a pelvic problem.

Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has recovered from the kick in the chest from Wolves skipper Paul Ince on Sunday which forced him to be replaced during Villa's 3-2 win.