Stats: Squawka

Aston Villa travel to Chelsea this weekend as they look to become the first side to beat the Blues this season.

While Jose Mourinho’s men have brushed aside all but Manchester City, the Villans have also enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, losing for the first time last week as they sit third in the league.

Only second-placed Southampton have a better defensive record than Paul Lambert’s side, who have conceded three goals fewer than Saturday’s opponents.

It’s a stat not many would have expected five games into the campaign, with last season’s relegation strugglers having taken on veteran Philippe Senderos in the summer to bolster their back line.




But the former Arsenal man has enjoyed a fine start for his new club, so much so he’s even outperforming Chelsea skipper John Terry.

Both ever-presents in the Premier League so far, Terry may be edging ahead in tackles and aerial duels won, but Senderos has a higher number of interceptions, blocks, clearances and fewer defensive errors.

Some of this can be put down to Villa having more pressure on their defence than the Blues, but it certainly indicated star striker Diego Costa may not have everything his own way at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

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