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Villa victory a must - Lampard
Chelsea, 10:34, February 17, 2009 ,
Frank Lampard has said he believes Chelsea must beat Aston Villa on Saturday if they are to have any chance of winning the league.
Chelsea have fallen two points behind Villa, who now occupy third spot, after their failure to beat Hull City at Stamford Bridge last time out in the league.
With extra significance now placed on the Saturday lunchtime clash Lampard is desperate to win the crunch contest to climb back above Martin O'Neill's side.
"Aston Villa is massive because they are in front of us," Lampard said in The Times.
"To still be in the chase we have to win the game. It is going to be tough but we have a lot of big players, a strong team and we can do it."
The match at Villa Park will be Guus Hiddink's first game in charge and the England international has so far been impressed with the new boss.
"Hiddink has cast his eye over training and the game and you can see a little lift in the lads trying to impress him, which always happens when a new manager comes in," he added.
"I think he will be happy with the desire and spirit we showed at 1-0 down against Watford and some of the football we played on a difficult pitch was good."