Chelsea urged to right the wrongs of Christmas past

CLAUDIO RANIERI last night urged his players to keep righting the wrongs of last season over the Christmas and new year stretch of their hugely-promising Premiership campaign.

Chelsea, who eased into second place by beating Aston Villa 2-0, last night had their title odds trimmed to 7-1 third favourites behind Arsenal and Manchester United.

Their Italian manager commended his side's efforts at jubilant Stamford Bridge, believing their desire to "cancel out" last season's 3-1 home defeat by Villa inspired them. Now his Christmas wish is for his team to keep showing that same hunger to banish the memories of last season's inconsistency.