Anelka a worry for Scolari

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Didier Drogba is out with knee damage and Scolari was banking on Anelka to lead the attack against Martin O'Neill's high-flyers - and he is still hopeful of the France international featuring at Stamford Bridge.

"He has a little problem with muscle spasms," said Scolari. "He did not train on Friday but I think he will train the day before the match. He has 10 assists this season, and we need him to make it 12."

Elsewhere in Scolari's squad, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Essien are also out and four other first-team players are carrying knocks.

Scolari is hopeful of those four - Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, John Terry and Alex - facing Villa but it meant only 15 players trained on Friday.

That group included Miroslav Stoch, Michael Mancienne, Scott Sinclair and Franco Di Santo, with those youngsters now competing for places on the bench.

A lack of numbers, particularly in attack, has highlighted the importance of landing Robinho before they were pipped by Manchester City on deadline day.

"At the time I spoke about Robinho, that he is a fantastic player and is something different to the players I have here," Scolari said. "But he is at Manchester City. Now, he needs to play there."

Scolari still believes he has the squad to sustain a title challenge but admits it is out of his hands if players get sold. He insists he has no problem with concentrating on coaching and leaving transfer matters to chief executive Peter Kenyon.

"The club says stay or don't stay, because they hold the contract," said Scolari. "I am not the boss. I am not the man that pays the player. I am an employee."