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There aren’t many places that have provided such regular stubborn opposition for Paul Lambert teams of the past.

In general, the Aston Villa boss has managed to grind out results up and down the country in both the higher and lower leagues.

Stamford Bridge is, however, one of those unhappy hunting grounds where the 45-year-old continues to endure misery after misery.

It started in 2007 when his Wycombe side visited west London in a League Cup semi-final replay.

The League Two outfit had held the then Premier League champions to a 1-1 draw in the first leg but came crashing back down to earth when they were beaten 4-0 in the return.

Since then the Scot has watched his Norwich and Villa teams crumble against the big spenders with little joy and excitement along the way.

In 2011/12 Jose Bosingwa, Frank Lampard and Juan Mata scored as the Canaries were beaten 3-1.

An 8-0 humiliation followed in 2012/13 when Lambert suffered one of his toughest times in the Villa hot seat.

It would probably be easier to name the players who didn’t score that day, and to think, Brad Guzan was Villa’s man of the match!

That’s enough to highlight Lambert’s woes at the Bridge but last term was slightly different.

PICTURES - Last time at Stamford Bridge: Chelsea 2-1 Villa, August 2013:

It was still frustrating, still miserable, and the Scot still left empty-handed but Villa did at least restore some pride in their performance.

Antonio Luna put through his own net, Christian Benteke equalised, then Branislav Ivanovic got the winner late on.

That’s only half the story, though,

In truth, Villa deserved a share of the spoils that night as Ivanovic should have been sent off prior to scoring the winner and the visitors were also denied a clear penalty when John Terry handled in the area late on.

Jose Mourinho’s post-match comments highlighted the frustrations Villa caused.

He said Lambert should ‘stop moaning as he complains over every decision’. On this occasion the Villa boss had more than enough reason to contest.

Apart from Chelsea’s back yard, there are only two other grounds in the Premier League where Lambert has never managed to pick up points as a manager – Old Trafford and Turf Moor.

On Saturday he will attempt to change his fortunes at the most troublesome venue.

What won’t help is Chelsea’s fine early-season form.

They are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League and have scored in every single game this term.

That they have only kept one clean sheet so far this season is something that Villa will cling on to, though.