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Aston Villa vs Chelsea Preview: Team News & Prediction

by Alex Lawes · March 2 2026, 21:29
Updated March 2 2026, 22:50
Aston Villa vs Chelsea Preview: Team News & Prediction

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

This is a huge game in the battle for a top four or five finish and potential UEFA Champions League qualification as Aston Villa take on Chelsea in Birmingham.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – USA Network

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – Hulu+

Aston Villa team news: Coming soon

Further details will appear here following pre-match press conferences…

Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): TBC

Unavailable: TBC

Questionable: TBC

Chelsea team news: Neto suspended

Portugal international winger Pedro Neto is unavailable through suspension for Chelsea for this one after receiving two quick-fire yellow cards against Arsenal the other day.

Liam Rosenior has confirmed that both Reece James and Cole Palmer are 'absolutely fine' but Estevao remains sidelined alongside fellow winger Jamie Gittens. Wesley Fofana has returned from suspension and Marc Cucurella is close to a return but Rosenior suggested that the weekend might be more likely.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho; Pedro

Unavailable: Colwill (Injured), Essugo (Fitness), Estevao (Injured), Gittens (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary), Neto (Suspended)

Questionable: Jorgensen (Injured), Cucurella (Injured)

Aston Villa vs Chelsea prediction

Unai Emery is in charge of an Aston Villa side that were in the title race last week but the Villans have since succumbed to a very average run of form in the Premier League. The hosts most recently succumbed to a 2-0 loss to rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers in a midlands derby at Molineux at the weekend.

Chelsea head into this one on the back of a 2-1 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend, continuing a very average run of form for Liam Rosenior as the Blues cling onto the coattails of the possible UEFA Champions League spots with the visitors having started his reign very well.

With their home advantage, Aston Villa will be favourites here and, in a one off game and recent form put to the side, Emery should be backed to out coach Rosenior here.

Aston Villa vs Chelsea tip: Aston Villa to win

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