Aston Villa vs. Chelsea: EPL Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Two Premier League clubs hoping to land a top-four finish lock horns at Villa Park on Saturday evening when Aston Villa hosts Chelsea. Following their 3-0 reverse game loss at Stamford Bridge at the start of December, Unai Emery's team will seek retribution against the West Londoners.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Aston Villa has frustratingly drawn four of their last five Premier League games, most recently distributing the spoils to leaders Liverpool on Wednesday night. Unai Emery admitted later that a point apiece fairly reflected the competitive clash. Aston Villa has failed to win any of their last five Premier League games.

After Mohamed Salah opened the score, goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins turned the contest around. Still, in a free-flowing clash with many opportunities, Liverpool restored the party through Trent Alexander-Arnold's deflected strike to rescue a 2-2 draw. The Lions were ahead at the break.

Villa has won just six of its last 21 Premier League games (D9 L6). Emery's side sits ninth in the table and remains in contention to ensure Champions League football for a second consecutive season. They are only five points behind Manchester City in fourth and four points behind Bournemouth and Chelsea in fifth and sixth, respectively.

Although Aston Villa (seven) has drawn more home matches than any Premier League club this season, they will nevertheless enjoy a return to Villa Park on Saturday, given they have only lost one of their previous 22 top-flight games in front of their supporters - a 2-0 loss to Arsenal in August.

Villa have also won just two of their previous 11 PL home meetings with Chelsea, defeating them 1-0 in March 2014 and 2-1 in May 2021; they have also previously won 10 consecutive games against capital-based teams between April 2023 and February 2024.

Following an outstanding 12-game undefeated run (W9 D3) between November 3 and December 22, Chelsea's record has suffered. They have only won three of their last ten games in all competitions, including three losses in their past four.

Having lost 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round before falling 3-0 in the Premier League a week ago Friday, the West Londoners will be eager to see the rear of Brighton & Hove Albion after they suffered consecutive away losses to the Seagulls in two separate competitions.

Chelsea missed a single shot on target for the first time in a Premier League game since September 2021 in their most recent loss to Brighton; Enzo Maresca, who described his team's performance as "the worst" since he took over, has seen his side drop to sixth place in the table, albeit only one point behind the top four.

Maresca will expect a response from his players on Saturday and will be eager to see Chelsea's away form develop. They have failed to win any of their last six matches on the road in all competitions (D2 L4) and have scored just two goals in their last five Premier League away games (D2 L3).

Although Chelsea has only won more at Tottenham (16) and Southampton (15) in the division's past, they have won 13 Premier League away matches against Aston Villa, so Chelsea has cause for optimism of victory at Villa Park. Their three-goal triumph against Villa earlier this season also inspires The Blues.

Aston Villa x Chelsea Team News

While Ezri Konsa, Leon Bailey (both unspecified), and Ross Barkley (calf) are dubious and will be examined ahead of kickoff, Aston Villa will be missing injured trio Pau Torres (ankle), Amadou Onana (thigh), and Boubacar Kamara (muscle).

Emery may ask Lamare Bogarde to start in central defense with Tyrone Mings as Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi is not allowed to face his home club. Villa's defense is just rudimentary.

Marcus Rashford has not yet scored for Villa since returning on loan from Manchester United, but he has scored four goals in eight home Premier League games against Chelsea and might keep his spot on the left wing. Morgan Rogers, Marco Asensio, and Watkins are all hoping to stay in attack.

Regarding Chelsea, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Wesley Fofana, Omari Kellyman (all hamstring), Romeo Lavia (muscle), Marc Guiu (groin), and Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended) are not eligible for selection; Benoit Badiashile (thigh) will be evaluated before kickoff.

While Jadon Sancha is likely to replace the injured Madueke and start on the left side, enabling Pedro Neto to switch across to the right, Reece James and Tosin Adarabioyo will be vying to return in defense at the cost of Malo Gusto and Trevoh Chalobah.

Cole Palmer has not recorded an assist since Chelsea defeated Villa on December 1 and has failed to score or assist in his past five visits. Still, the Englishman is supposed to keep playing a center offensive position alongside Christopher Nkunku; both players can have false nine responsibilities.

Our Predictions

Aston Villa to win @ 2.65 on Sky247.ng

Chelsea easily brushed Aston Villa away in December, but this time around, two top-four candidates who have struggled to achieve success in recent weeks might provide a tighter fight.

Villa has favored playing on home ground this season; considering Chelsea's defensive flaws and previous troubles in the final third, we support Emery's team to get maximum points.

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