MATCHDAY: Lampard under pressure as Chelsea hosts Villa

Posted December 27, 2020 6:00 am

By The Associated Press

Chelsea's head coach Frank Lampard watches his player warm up ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020. (Adrian Dennis/ Pool via AP) The Associated Press

A look at what's happening around European soccer on Monday:

ENGLAND

Frank Lampard is the latest Premier League manager under pressure, with his Chelsea team heading into a home match against in-form Aston Villa having lost three of its last four games. Chelsea spent nearly $300 million on new players in the last summer transfer window and Lampard appears to be struggling in particular to figure out how to set up his attack. Villa is tied on 25 points with Chelsea but ahead on goal difference after picking up 10 points from a possible 12 in December. Everton is in second place going into a home game against Manchester City, which is three points behind its opponent at Goodison Park. Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers must decide whether to play 33-year-old striker Jamie Vardy for a second time in three days when the team visits Crystal Palace.

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Chelsea's Tammy Abraham reacts after the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020. Arsenal won the game 3-1. (Julian Finney Pool via AP) The Associated Press

Leicester's Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the game from the penalty spot during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at the White Hart Lane stadium in London, Sunday, Dec., 20 2020. (Andy Rain/ Pool via AP) The Associated Press

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