Aston Villa head coach Steven Gerrard admits Chelsea have a team full of 'world-class talent' ahead of his side's clash with the Blues this weekend.
Chelsea travel to Villa Park having won four matches in a row in all competitions under Graham Potter, while the new manager is yet to taste defeat after taking over from Thomas Tuchel in September. Meanwhile, Villa are also on an unbeaten run of their own having gone four matches without losing, but after failing to beat ten-man Leeds United and then bottom club Nottingham Forest, there is pressure on Gerrard to turn a slow start to the season around.
The Villa head coach is expecting a tough match this weekend, with Chelsea looking to consolidate their place in the top four before the Premier League breaks for the World Cup next month.
Gerrard said in his pre-match press conference: “I wouldn't argue or debate whether they have the favourites tag. They're a team full of world-class talent. They've got academy kids who've developed and become top players.
“They've recruited extremely well. They've changed manager of late and seem to be in a honeymoon period.
“Everything points to them being favourites in the game, but this is at Villa Park. We're a bit frustrated that we haven't taken wins from our previous two and we want to use that frustration in the right way.
“We want to take the game to Chelsea and be as aggressive as we can.”