Roman Abramovich after a new David Villa

CHELSEA are ready to beat Arsenal in the chase for out-of-favour Barcelona striker David Villa.

Roman Abramovich has several targets, with Daniel Sturridge set to be sold to Liverpool as soon as the transfer window opens.

Villa tops the Blues owner’s list, with the former Valencia hero having fallen out of favour in the final year of his Nou Camp contract.
Chelsea, like the Gunners, want to take the 31-year-old Villa on a six-month loan with a view to a deal. But, if not, they will look at a longer-term deal if Barca can be bargained down from an asking price of £15million.

Spanish World Cup star Villa has not won back his place after spending eight months of the sidelines last year with a broken leg. He has played only a dozen La Liga games, yet still scored five goals.

Chelsea’s interim boss, Rafa Benitez, knows him well, having managed Valencia before Villa arrived.

And Benitez believes Villa to be the perfect foil for fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres, who is now beginning to find form, with seven goals in six games, but who lacks top-class support.

Chelsea believe that although Barcelona say they will not sell, Villa’s desire for first-team football could force the issue next month.

The Blues intend strengthening but, aware of difficulties in doing business, are also targeting Newcastle misfit Demba Ba.

The Senegal striker has a £7.5m escape clause and, at 27, would fit their age-profile, and be cheaper.

Victor Moses, meanwhile, believes that if Chelsea keep up the kind of form that saw them go into the Christmas period with 25 goals in six games, no one will be able to stop them.

After hammering Aston Villa 8-0, Moses said: “We need to go to Norwich producing the kind of form we have shown recently. If we keep doing that, I can’t see any teams stopping us.

“I’m enjoying my football and I just want to keep playing consistently. You never can tell with the title.”