Chelsea vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction
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After both sides were in European action this week, Chelsea and Aston Villa meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with the visitors looking for their first win in eight games in all competitions.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 1st December, 2024: UK – 1:30pm / US ET – 8:30am / US PT – 5:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Fubo
Chelsea Preview: Impressive Blues
With stories around the two Manchester clubs dominating the headlines this season, as well as Liverpool's excellent start to the season under Arne Slot, Enzo Maresca's Chelsea have gone under the radar a little but they are quietly becoming something of a force to be reckoned with .
The Blues were 1-2 winners at Leicester last weekend, while their 0-2 victory at Heidenheim on Thursday made it a perfect four wins from four in the UEFA Conference League.
Aston Villa Preview: Winless run continues
The wins have well and truly dried up for Aston Villa with Unai Emery's men having failed to win any of their last seven games in all competitions. Their most recent outing in the Premier League was last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, with Villa twice coming from behind to salvage a point.
Although Emery's men drew with Juventus in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, they will have felt hard done by as Morgan Rogers' injury-time goal was somewhat harshly overruled by VAR.
Chelsea Team News: Gusto & Neto could return
Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto may return to the fold on Sunday after missing Chelsea's last two fixtures, although Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix will be called upon again if needed.
Maresca has hinted that Christopher Nkunku will be handed more game-time in the Premier League in the coming weeks, but in-form Nicolas Jackson is likely to retain his place up front for the time being.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Unavailable: Kellyman (Injured)
Questionable: Gusto (Injured), James (Injured), Neto (Injured)
Aston Villa Team News: Only Ramsey confirmed out
Ezri Konsa was back amongst the substitutes midweek and could be the preferred choice at right-back here, while Boubacar Kamara started against Juventus in his own return from injury.
Amadou Onana has a chance of making the squad following a lay-off for a foot injury, but Jacob Ramsey (hamstring) will not be part of the travelling squad.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Barkley, Tielemans; Bailey, McGinn, Rogers; Watkins
Unavailable: Ramsey (Injured)
Questionable: Onana (Injured)
Chelsea vs Aston Villa Prediction
It will take a good team to stop Chelsea at the moment. Enzo Maresca's incredibly deep squad are seemingly managing their congested fixture schedule with ease, with the Blues performing at a high level both domestically and in Europe.
Unai Emery does not boast such resources at Aston Villa, and it is clear that combining Premier League and Champions League commitments is catching up with them a little. They do not have the luxury of making wholesale changes to their squad like their opponents here, and you have to fancy the fresher hosts to win this one.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa Tip: Chelsea to win
