Shining Lamps can illuminate the path to silverware

After yet another man-of-the-match performance against Aston Villa at the weekend, Lampard is now preparing to meet the man who took him from Upton Park to Stamford Bridge back in 2001.

Claudio Ranieri made mistakes in his time as Chelsea boss but the best thing he did was to secure Lampard's signature from West Ham eight years ago. And there is little doubt he will be telling his Juventus team that the in-form midfielder is the main threat tonight.

It's been a difficult time for Chelsea lately, both on and off the pitch. But while some of his team mates have under-performed, Lampard has kept his performances at a remarkably high level.

It's a bit of a cliche, but you do learn more about players when things aren't going well. The weaker ones who are struggling for form will always look for someone to help them out and turn potential losses into wins.

Lampard has been that man for Chelsea this season. His display in the vital victory at Villa Park at the weekend summed up how important he is.

Lampard is widely viewed as a goal-scoring, box-to-box midfielder and, in my view, doesn't get the credit he deserves for his skill.

But his 'quick feet' to go past two Villa defenders and, just as importantly, his weight of pass to put Nicolas Anelka through on goal was something that Kaka or Lionel Messi would have been proud of.

His all-round touch, passing and tackling also helped control the game for Chelsea and, crucially from a tactical perspective, starve the Villa wide men of any time on the ball.

It would be wrong to say that he has been the only one performing to his best in these difficult times for Chelsea, especially as Nicolas Anelka is the Premier League's leading scorer, but with Deco struggling, Michael Ballack not hitting top form and the issues surrounding Didier Drogba, Chelsea have desperately needed someone to step up to the plate. And Frank has more often than not been that man.

Tonight is a massive game in Chelsea's season. There's still a chance of glory for the Blues come May and, if it does happen, no one will have contributed more.