London - Chelsea manager Avram Grant is counting on a much-improved performance from his players when they go out to protect their long unbeaten record at home against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Villa have already beaten Chelsea once in the Premier League this season, a performance three months ago at Villa Park which Grant recalled as poor.
While he is mindful of Villa's abilities, Grant is determined the Blues will rise to the challenge of keeping their unbeaten home record intact.
"We lost against Villa the last time we met them," he recalled.
"We didn't play well, even though we played with all of our squad - so we know they are a good, organised team with a good manager.
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"It will be a tough match. But we are the home team. While I don't like the word revenge, we want to win - especially after our defeat there."
Grant is hailing Chelsea's chaotic Christmas fixture congestion as "exciting," despite an injury crisis which threatens to sour his team's festivities.
Chelsea have three games in a week - most likely without first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech, despite the encouraging news from scans on his injured hip yesterday.
Captain John Terry and striker Didier Drogba are also sidelined, but despite the injury setbacks Grant admits he enjoys one of English football's quirkier traditions.
"This is the only country in the world that plays over Christmas," he added.
"All the other countries, including my own of Israel, have a break at this time of the season.
"But for me it has been interesting to look on from the side.
"I don't think I've missed a game in England for more than 30 years, since I was 22.
"It has been very exciting watching from the side, but it's more exciting from the inside.
"I was in England last year with another club (Portsmouth), so for me it's exciting.
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