"I will change some players" - Lampard says ahead of Aston Villa game

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard isn't happy with his players following their loss on Boxing day. The Blues suffered their third defeat this season against Arsenal. It was a 3-1 loss at the Emirates against their London rival.

Despite Chelsea holding the advantage heading into the game given their form, the Gunners stepped up for the game. 

Chelsea needed the victory to mount pressure on leaders, Liverpool and second placed Tottenham. 

Frank Lampard side were down by two goals in the first half from a penalty by Alexander Lacazette and Granit Xhaka free-kick. 

The Blues were unable to grab a corner in the first half neither a shot on target. Timo Werner lacked sharpness and Tammy Abraham struggled all through. 

Frank Lampard made two changes in the second half, Kovacic and Werner were replaced as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Jorginho came on board.

But Arsenal who were 15th in the league added the third from a chip by Bukayo Saka. 

Chelsea pulled a goal back from Tammy Abraham and Jorginho missed a late penalty. 

Frank Lampard has revealed that there will bd changes in his team after their poor display against Arsenal. 

The Blues will host Aston Villa on Monday night at the Stamford Bridge. 

"The first half certainly was our worst performance of the season as far as I saw it," Lampard told reporters ahead the game. "We lacked energy. We are in a position in the last four games of losing three and only winning one. So that needs a reaction.

"They did [lack character] and the players know that. The first half we lacked it. Second half we didn't, to be fair, and there will be some players that come out of it with credit for the performances in the second half. But today we did." 

The manager stated some players might habe to be dropped given their display against the Gunners. He admits he will have to make the changes as he's set to face Dean Smith side. 

He said: "I’m not going to generalise that that’s the case because it’s not. But today we did and football will punish you if you turn up and have that sort of lack of the basics in your game.

"There will be some changes and I knew that anyway. I am certainly not going to bang the drum about the quick turnaround after our performance today. That's not to point. We are playing two games in two days and [changes] would have happened anyway." 

"Some of those will happen because of how the game went and people will have to come in and inject energy and personality."