Olly: We're Ready For Chelsea Test

Olof Mellberg is backing Villa to end a nine-year drought against Chelsea on Saturday to all but secure Premiership safety.

And, though the Londoners are currently flying as they bid for a Champions League spot, Mellberg believes Claudio Ranieriˇ¦s men are just the sort of team Villa relish facing.

The last home league win against Chelsea came in December 1994 - four defeats and three draws later, Mellberg feels the time is right for a long overdue victory.

The Swedish international ace reflected: "We definitely need one more win. We might even need more than one win but we need it on Saturday in order to relax a little bit more. It all depends on other games, particularly Bolton v West Ham.

"But I think we would choose to face Chelsea at home right now. It's a good game to be involved in and we're up for it.

"I've said it before but each game we play at Villa Park we should always be favourites- whether it's Manchester United or Bolton. And I think we are against Chelsea.

"We've played well against the big teams, and I'd hope these sort of games bring out the best in me.

ˇ§Even though it wasn't a fantastic game against West Ham we did well to get a point, and at Southampton as well- it was probably our best away game of the season. So even though we haven't won for a while, it isn't all bad.ˇ¨

Mellberg continued: "The team spirit is nice, but I just hope it's not too nice. It can't be a 'relaxing' nice. It has to be a 'confident' nice.

"It's no time to relax. We knew it was a massive game at West Ham but every game now is an even bigger one until we are safe.

"In recent weeks we've done nothing to be ashamed of but we still need the points for us, for the fans, for the club and everyone. We need to win at least a game so that we can be sure of staying in the Premiership."