Now that the ballyhoo of the weekend’s top-of-the-table clash has subsided, Chelsea can refocus their attentions on getting back to winning ways.

The Blues visit Villa and host Everton in the space of five days – with the results of both matches arguably having a bigger bearing on the Premier League title than the 1-1 draw against Manchester City.

Both Aston Villa and Everton have suffered from poor form, although both have shown glimmers of revival.

On paper Chelsea will feel they can collect six points, but Jose Mourinho’s self-imposed siege mentality – insisting that the world is not on his side – is not helping the cause.

If it’s good old-fashioned Alex Ferguson-style gamesmanship, that’s one thing.

But if it’s a genuine feeling of paranoia, that’s quite another.

Diego Costa was missed against City, as was the injured Cesc Fabregas.

The in-form striker will not be back in league action until February 21, when Chelsea host Burnley at the Bridge, so the goal-scoring burden falls on Didier Drogba and Loic Remy, who was on target for the Blues last weekend.

Fabregas’s hamstring injury should have eased enough to allow him to face Villa, and new signing Juan Cuadrado, the winger brought in from Fiorentina, will also be available to play at Villa Park.

If nothing else, Cuadrado brings exotic haircuts back to Stamford Bridge, with tumbling dreadlock ropes evoking the glory days of Ruud Gullit’s glorious barnet.

But the 26-year-old wide man should prove a valuable provider for Costa once the striker’s three-match stamping ban is over.

The Colombian, who made a big impression at the World Cup, is best on the right… so Willian may face competition for his place.

That would be a pity as the Brazilian has come on in leaps and bounds this season, and is growing in confidence all the time.

It’s a nice conundrum for anyone who feels the planet is ganging up on him.