Carlo Ancelotti has pinpointed in-form Aston Villa as a side with
the potential to break up the Premier League's established big
four.
Martin O'Neill's Villa side leapfrogged above Arsenal into
third place with victory over Sunderland on Tuesday night.
Chelsea remain top of the Premier League but only on goal
difference over Manchester United who beat Wolves 3-0. But the
Blues have the chance to restore their three-point lead with
victory over lowly Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
While Chelsea manager Ancelotti is well aware of the threat
posed by United, Villa are the team he believes could upset one of
the familiar big four - Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and
Liverpool - and cement a Champions League spot this season.
"Aston Villa are a very dangerous team," said Ancelotti.
"They won against Chelsea and Manchester United. I think Martin
O'Neill is doing a fantastic job with this team.
"Maybe we have to pay attention to them because nobody spoke
about Aston Villa in the top four but now we have to pay attention
to this team. I think Arsenal have to pay attention to them."
Ancelotti's side will be looking for their first win in five
games against Portsmouth, who are now led by former Blues boss
Avram Grant. Grant returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time
since being sacked by the Blues soon after the Champions League
final defeat against Manchester United in 2008.
But Chelsea could be without 18-goal Ivory Coast striker
Didier Drogba, who hurt his back in training yesterday. Ancelotti
revealed that Drogba had to leave their training session after
sustaining the injury which now threatens his participation against
the struggling south coast side.
It will be a bitter blow for the Blues if Drogba misses out
as he was outstanding against Everton - scoring two goals in their
3-3 draw last Saturday.
"We had a problem yesterday morning with Drogba," admitted
Ancelotti. "He took a knock on the back and I don't know if he will
be able to play tonight."
Chelsea have also been suffering from defensive jitters, with
all three Everton goals in their 3-3 draw on Saturday coming from
set-pieces. Ancelotti insists he was not angry after that game but
does admit to losing his temper with the Chelsea players after
their 2-2 draw with APOEL at Stamford Bridge in the Champions
League.
"To become angry does not mean you lose control," said
Ancelotti. "Sometimes with the team and the players, you have to
show your disappointment. It doesn't mean you lose control."
The former AC Milan coach will try to speak with the Italian
club's owner, Silvio Berlusconi, in the next few days. Italian
Prime Minister Berlusconi suffered a broken nose and teeth from an
attack during a rally in Milan's Piazza Duomo earlier this week.
Ancelotti added: "I will try to speak with him in the next
few days. It is unbelievable what happened to Mr Berlusconi. I am
disappointed but sometimes people lose control."
