A late winner from Florent Malouda condemned spirited Albion to defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Albion boss Roy Hodgson fears the Baggies will face ‘the real Fernando Torres’ tomorrow – after admitting he never got to work with the Spaniard at full strength.

Jerome Thomas looks set to miss Albion’s trip to Chelsea through injury – but summer signing Gareth McAuley could be back at Stamford Bridge.

Steven Reid is confident Albion can avoid another Chelsea nightmare on Saturday – despite Roberto Di Matteo’s inside information.

Albion boss Roy Hodgson today blasted Wigan’s “ludicrous” bid for Peter Odemwingie – as the striker began a race to be fit for the Baggies’ trip to Chelsea.

Villa goalkeeper Shay Given might have spent the best part of last season twiddling his thumbs on the subs bench at Manchester City – but you wouldn’t know it.

Wolves have pulled the plug on a loan deal for Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand – as they closed in on Reading’s Matt Mills.

Albion have laughed off comments suggesting former boss Roberto Di Matteo will try and take Baggies star Youssouf Mulumbu to Chelsea.

Former Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo is back in football after becoming Chelsea’s new assistant manager.

Carlo Ancelotti today ruled himself out of the manager’s vacancy at Villa by revealing he will take a one-year sabbatical from coaching after leaving Chelsea.