Villa aim to dent Chelsea's record

Premier League managers are anxious to get back into the fray this weekend after a two-week break while their international players took part in World Cup qualifiers.

The likes of Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho of Chelsea, spotted last weekend watching his winger Damien Duff from the stands in Dublin playing for Ireland, are itching to take to the stage again.

Aston Villa could pose the biggest threat yet to a perfect start by Chelsea, who are behind champions Arsenal only on goal difference, when they kick off the programme at Villa Park just past midday on Saturday.

A fifth successive win or a draw would put Chelsea top for a good two hours until Arsenal kick off against London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Villa are sixth, five points behind the leading pair after four matches but have won both home games, including a 4-2 comeback victory over Newcastle United two weeks ago.

Juan Pablo Angel put the final nail in Newcastle manager Bobby Robson's coffin when he came off the bench to score in the 82nd minute. Robson was sacked two days later.

The Colombia striker, due to make his first start since knee surgery, said Villa were worried when manager David O'Leary was named among the favourites to take the Newcastle job.

"The Villa family were worried about it because we know the changes he has made since he arrived," Angel said. "He's been probably the most influential guy in the last few years at this club," added Angel, who scored 16 goals for Villa last season.

"(O'Leary) has a lot of potential, he's a good manager, a winning manager," Angel told Sky Sports.

RAMPANT ARSENAL

Chelsea

have been extremely tight, conceding just one goal at home to Southampton in their last match but they have only once scored more than the bare minimum to win their games.

Arsenal, by contrast, have been rampant up front scoring 16 goals, an average of four per game with four apiece from Jose Antonio Reyes and Thierry Henry, and will be looking to extend their record 44-game unbeaten league run.

Fulham do not look capable of beating the champions who welcome back inspirational captain Patrick Vieira after injury and a sending off for France in the Faroe Islands on Wednesday.

Bolton Wanderers are a surprise third on nine points after their third win, 1-0 against Liverpool, and will prove a tough nut to crack for Manchester United's visit.

United, with just one win so far, still have only one fit striker in Alan Smith. Louis Saha is doubtful after injuring his right knee playing for France, Ruud van Nistelrooy is still out after a hernia operation and new signing Wayne Rooney is not yet fit.

But Captain Roy Keane should be back after playing for Ireland in midweek despite an injured rib and defender Gabriel Heinze could be in line for his debut after finally arriving from lengthy international duty with Argentina.

Fast improving fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who are on eight points, are the proud club of England scoring hero Jermain Defoe and should be too strong for visitors Norwich City, who are three from bottom, in the Sunday match.

Spurs, who beat Birmingham City 1-0 with a superb Defoe goal two weeks ago, can also call on Wales midfielder Simon Davies after a long absence through injury.