Frank Lampard can sense a new atmosphere at Chelsea under new manager Guus Hiddink.

He told chelseafc.com: "He has cast his eye over training and the game and you can see a little lift in the lads trying to impress him, which always happens when a new manager comes in.

"I think he will be happy with the desire and spirit we showed at 1-0 down (against Watford) and some of the football we played on a difficult pitch was good. I am sure he is looking forward to working with us.

"I think I will enjoy working with him because we all know him as a manager, we know what he did before with other teams. We look forward to working with him."

Hiddink insisted when he arrived in London that the title was not out of Chelsea's reach despite falling far off the pace set by Manchester United, and Lampard has echoed those sentiments.

He added: "Aston Villa is massive because they are in front of us (in the Premier League).

"To still be in the chase we have to win the game.

"It is going to be tough but we have a lot of big players, a strong team and we can do it."