Aston Villa are fortunate others have stumbled sooner and for longer this season - ensuring they have maintained a decent grip on third place until now. Chelsea have dropped 17 points from winning positions at Stamford Bridge and 19 points overall in the Premier League this season. Lille, in the Europa League on 12 March, and then a trip to Old Trafford on 15 March, will loom large for Villa.
Read more: Analysis: Individual form has plummeted
Barcelona agree three-year contract with forward on reduced salary ahead of €30m transfer