By DAN KARELL
After a 48-hour break, the Premier League returns to action with Chelsea visiting Aston Villa, highlighting a busy day of soccer on Wednesday.
It’s a quick turnaround for Chelsea after their dominating 2-0 victory over Hull City on Saturday, but it’s not last year’s Aston Villa team that Jose Mourinho will face at Stamford Bridge. Paul Lambert’s side are in fine form and high on confidence following their 3-1 victory at Arsenal, with American goalkeeper Brad Guzan proving his worth to the club yet again with some terrific saves. A caveat to Villa fans: The last time these two teams met at Chelsea’s ground, the Blues ran out 8-0 winners.
Also in action on Wednesday, the UEFA Champions League play-off round continues with an injury-thinned Arsenal squad traveling to Turkey to face Fenerbahce, who are hoping an appeal against a match-fixing ban is successful. Other Champions League matches include Jermaine Jones and Schalke 04 facing Greek side PAOK, and Dinamo Zagreb vs. Austria Wien.
In the evening, the Spanish Super Cup begins as Atletico Madrid host Barcelona, and then later in CONCACAF Champions League action, Heredia hosts the Montreal Impact and Olimpia visits Real Esteli.
If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s TV schedule is after the jump):
2:45pm – Chelsea vs. Aston Villa – NBC Sports Network/NBC Sports Live Extra
2:45pm – Fenerbahce vs. Arsenal – Fox Sports 1
2:45pm – Schalke 04 vs. PAOK – Fox Soccer Channel
2:45pm – Dinamo Zagreb vs. Austria Wien – MSG Plus/Fox Sports Net
2:45pm – Ludogorets vs. FC Basel – Fox Soccer 2Go
2:45pm – Steaua Bucharest vs. Legia Warszawa – Fox Soccer 2Go
5pm – Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona – ESPN2/ESPN Deportes
10pm – Heredia vs. Montreal Impact – Fox Soccer 2Go
10pm – Real Esteli vs. Olimpia – Fox Soccer 2Go
10:30pm – Chivas USA vs. FC Dallas – MLS Live
11pm – Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake – MLS Live