Villa set for Chelsea challenge

Phillips, has been out for two months with an ankle problem, but impressed as a second-half substitute in the FA Cup win against Port Vale last weekend, for which Barry was suspended. Both are likely to return the side tonight, with Juan Pablo Angel and Chav Hendrie making way as Villa seek to sustain their unbeaten home record against Chelsea this century. Since 2000, the Midland outfit have won two and drawn four home Premiership games against the Blues, including last season's controversial goalless draw, when Didier Drogba was hilariously booked after tumbling under Ulises de la Cruz’s clumsy penalty-area challenge.

Drogba will play no part at Villa Park as he is on international duty with Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup. Eidur Gudjohnsen is fit again, however, Tubbs is content to concentrate on his own attackers. "We will have a go at them,” the Irishman said. “What we need is a repeat of our performance at Stamford Bridge. But they will keep pounding away. They will wear teams down and then with about 20 minutes to go will bring on three more world-class players." It will be the Villa manager's 100th top-flight match in charge and a 34^th victory would do much to appease the fans’ growing frustration.