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Mini match report
Aston Villa fought through a resolute 1-1 draw at Chelsea to continue their momentum through Christmas.
Olivier Giroud had his header in the first half disallowed by fit man Anwar El Ghazi, who passed Edouard Mendy at the back stick five minutes after the restart.
Frank Lampard’s team continued to lobby and investigate with the Blues having the luxury of making six changes to their starting XI, not to mention bringing in £ 120 million worth of talent in the second half.
However, Dean Smith’s tenacious Villa kept them at bay and recorded a well-deserved draw at Stamford Bridge that sees them rise and stay fifth in the Premier League table.
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The administrators
Frank Lampard: “He is a tough opponent, but we had very good opportunities.
“I think there was a hand before the goal next to the linesman. When you are going through a difficult moment like ours, sometimes that goes against you. That last part was not entirely there today because we do not have the touch of green per minute.
“The answer was exactly correct apart from the victory. We had a couple of small chances. I felt the pressure was coming from us. This is our difficult period right now. We have to fight for it and we will be stronger” for it. “
Dean Smith: “It’s hard to turn it around, but I trust the players,” he said. “Today I asked each one of them if they were ready to go again and they looked me in the eye and said yes.
“I think it is very important to have that trust with them and they have shown it today. It’s tough and we had to fight at times today. I thought there were moments of pressure from both teams.
“You have to be organized when you come here. You look at the players they have and the bench they have and it’s going to be a tough game on defense. “
Triple boost for United
Captain Jack Grealish, left-back Matt Targett and midfielder John McGinn are available for Dean Smith for Friday’s game with Manchester United.
The trio walk the disciplinary tightrope with four cautions from Villa’s first 14 games, but all avoided going to the referee book at Chelsea last night.
The suspension rule for five reserves will be reinstated after Villa plays 19 Premier League games and the clash at United will bring Villa’s 15th this season. Smith’s team has United, Spurs, Everton and Burnley before the yellow card limits are restored.
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McGinn earns praise from fans
Thomas White: “It’s absolutely amazing how underrated John McGinn is. It’s absolutely amazing.”
Myles Osbourne: “It’s a pleasure to see McGinn get back to his best.”
@Lincolnclarets: “I said from day point that McGinn is our key player this season. If he plays well, we will play well. Blessed to have him.”
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