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: Nothing fresh
Unai Emery hasn't provided any injury updates ahead of this one but it is known that midfield trio Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn are all unavailable.
Harvey Elliott could be back available but his tortuous time of it in Birmingham is likely to continue with a start, or even coming off the bench, seeming very unlikely.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Onana, Luiz; Sancho, Rogers, Buendia; Abraham
Unavailable: Garcia (Injured), Kamara (Injured), Tielemans (Injured), McGinn (Injured)
Questionable: Elliott (Injured)
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
