Here’s our Aston Villa Vs Chelsea preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash.
Aston Villa Vs Chelsea Preview
Villa host Chelsea on Saturday afternoon in the final Premier League fixture of the day.
The Midlands side have struggled recently and are winless in five league games since beating Everton in January.
They did dispatch Tottenham in the FA Cup recently, though, and held Premier League leaders Liverpool to a 2-2 draw last time out.
Unai Emery’s men sit ninth in the table, five points off the top four places.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have also recorded some mixed results lately.
The Blues have two wins, two draws and two defeats from their past six Premier League fixtures.
They have lost back-to-back games at Brighton in the last two matches, being beaten in both the league and FA Cup.
Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League ahead of game week 26, and a win could propel them back into the top four.
When the two sides met in December, Chelsea were comfortable 3-0 winners at Stamford Bridge and will be hoping for a repeat result at Villa Park.
Aston Villa Vs Chelsea Team News
Villa will be without a number of players for this weekend. Pau Torres (ankle), Amadou Onana (thigh) and Boubacar Kamara (muscle) are all definitely out, while late fitness tests will be needed for Ezri Konsa, Leon Bailey (both unspecified) and Ross Barkley (calf).
Axel Disasi is unavailable due to the Chelsea loanee being ineligible to face his parent club.
Unai Emery is therefore very limited for defensive options. He could opt for Lamare Bogarde to partner Tyrone Mings at the back.
New arrival Marcus Rashford is yet to score for Villa, but has a good record against Chelsea and should start on the left.
Morgan Rogers and Marco Asensio are expected to join him, with Ollie Watkins leading the line.
For Chelsea, they too are missing a host of stars for the trip to Villa Park.
All of Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Wesley Fofana, Omari Kellyman (all hamstring), Romeo Lavia (muscle), Marc Guiu (groin) and Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended) are unavailable.
Benoit Badiashile (thigh) is also a doubt, but will be assessed before the game.
With Madueke out, Jadon Sancho should come in on the flank, while Reece James and Tosin Adarabioyo will hope to start in defence.
Despite a recent dip in form, Cole Palmer should keep his place in attack alongside Christopher Nkunku.
Aston Villa Vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups
Aston Villa: Martinez; Garcia, Bogarde, Mings, Digne; Tielemans, McGinn; Rogers, Asensio, Rashford; Watkins
Chelsea: Jorgensen; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Nkunku
Aston Villa Vs Chelsea Prediction
Although Chelsea dominated the reverse fixture before Christmas, we expect a much closer game this time.
Both sides are struggling for consistency, meaning either could take three points if the other has an off day.
Villa have been stronger at home, but we think it’s too close to call based on recent form.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 Chelsea
