Drogba absence leaves Chelsea short

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will acutely feel the absence of Didier Drogba this weekend as the Ivory Coast striker looks to guide his country to African Nations Cup glory.

The Portuguese coach will have just two senior strikers available for the trip to Aston Villa tonight after England Under-21 international Carlton Cole was ruled out with the groin injury he collected in the final moments of Saturday’s FA Cup draw at Everton.