London - A week of World Cup qualifying drama will weigh heavily on the Premier League this weekend as Chelsea head to Aston Villa aiming to maintain their lead over Manchester United at the top of the table.
Injuries picked up on international duty threaten to sideline the likes of United striker Wayne Rooney and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard while all of the league's 20 managers will be grappling with the emotional hangover suffered by players who experienced World Cup joy and heartbreak.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti can count on Didier Drogba firing on all cylinders after a week's rest in the wake of the Ivory Coast's draw with Malawi which clinched their place in next year's finals in South Africa.
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In contrast, goalkeeper Petr Cech, who returns from suspension, will have spent the last few days digesting the disappointment of the Czech Republic's failure to even reach the play-offs for a final slot.
For Villa boss Martin O'Neill, the week has left him with an unwanted headache following Emile Heskey's public declaration that his lack of first-team football at the club might lead him to seek a January move in order to bolster his hopes of starting for England at the World Cup.
Villa also have Ashley Young, James Milner, Stewart Downing and Gabriel Agbonlahor hoping to go to South Africa with England, and O'Neill is determined to prevent them being distracted by thoughts of glory on the international stage.
"Players need to remember themselves here," the Northern Irishman said. "The World Cup is not next week, not before Christmas and not even before Easter. It's a long, long way away."
Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar predicted the toughest test of the season to date for the Villa back four.
"A lot of people said Nicolas Anelka and Drogba could not play together but they are in great form as a partnership now," Cuellar said. "But we must not underestimate ourselves.
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