Chelsea defender Gary Cahill says it is important that he and his teammates do not look for excuses as they strive to get their season back on track.

The reigning Premier League champions find themselves sitting 16th on the table after winning just two of their opening eight matches.

This Saturday, Chelsea get the chance to start righting their early-season wrongs when they host Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge but Cahill has made it clear that the performances simply need to get better.

"Luck's not on our side at the minute, but you have to make your own luck in terms of performances at the club," he said.

"That's something I'm determined to put right and I'm sure everyone else is.

"It's not a nice feeling at the minute and one we don't want to have for very much longer."