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Villa's O'Neill sets sights on Chelsea double
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24 December 2007
Villa face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day bidding to follow up their 2-0 home win in September.
But repeating the feat will be a monumental task for Villa as Chelsea are unbeaten at home in the Barclays Premier League for 71 games.
High riser: Zat Knight heads home against Chelsea
The last time Chelsea were beaten on their own territory in the league was back in February 2004, when they lost to Arsenal.
Yet O'Neill is relishing the task and is hopeful of guiding Villa to their first double over the Londoners since 1990.
The former Celtic boss said: "Chelsea are a very good team and we will need to be strong for the whole game because they can score a goal at any given moment.
"When we beat them in September there was a great deal of delight in the dressing room because we had won a big game and that is the sort of desire and commitment that you need to play in these big matches.
"In terms of the belief and encouragement that it gave the players it was a great win.
"But we know that it is going to take a lot for us to get another win."
O'Neill has hinted that he may have to make a switch in tactics for the clash.
He added: "Chelsea are past masters at being able to go forward, still have a Claude Makelele-type sitting in there to break things up and still keep the pattern of the game going.
"When you have two out-and-out wide men in your team that can sometimes be difficult to play against because it means that the players in the middle of the park have to do extra work."
Central defender Zat Knight's debut goal for set the team on the way to that victory over the Blues three months ago and he would love.
The former Fulham centre half-said: "It was great to score on my debut.
"I don't think you could have written it better. I don't think I will ever forget it.
"We have got a good away record at the moment and we need to go all out to keep that up."
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