BIRMINGHAM:
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has challenged his side to finish the season in triumphant style as they aim to qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League in their remaining three games.
The midweek failure to beat Tottenham means Rafael Benitez’s side must win at Aston Villa today if they are to go into the Europa League final against Benfica with a top-four finish already secured.
Anything less could mean the trip to Amsterdam on May 15 is overshadowed by continuing uncertainty about their chances of playing in next season’s Champions League.
The odds are stacked in favour of the Blues, with the 2-2 draw against Spurs ensuring they sit third, three points ahead of Andre Villas-Boas’s side in fifth, and two points clear of Arsenal in fourth.
And while Villa have shown improved form to move clear of the bottom three, Benitez’s side would expect to overcome a team that has struggled for form and confidence for much of the season.
Victory in their two remaining Premier League games – they play Everton at Stamford Bridge on the final day of the season – and over Benfica will mean Chelsea finish third, guaranteeing passage to the Champions League group stage, and again collect silverware.
And England centre-back Cahill said, “There are three games left in total and they will determine our season.
“It is a huge game [today] followed by the Europa League final which is obviously massive. So we go again and we are in a good run of results at the moment and decent form.”
However, Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert insists Chelsea will face a different team to the one they thrashed 8-0 at Stamford Bridge in December.
“We’re a threat, I think everyone knows we have players who can hurt teams. I’m pretty sure Chelsea will know we have guys on top of their game. But we know it’ll be hard. The beauty of it is everybody apart from us and our fans expect Chelsea to win, because of the team they are.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2013.
News Soruce: http://tribune.com.pk
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