Chelsea vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Chelsea are pretenders once again but the Blues can make another statement as they welcome genuine title challengers Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Universo
Chelsea preview: Need a statement
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea were very much involved in the English title race a few weeks ago but a shoddy run of form has seen them slip and the Blues could do with a big performance over the festive period against a strong Aston Villa side.
Chelsea come into this one on the back of an impressive fightback against Newcastle United at St James’ Park last weekend, coming from 2-0 down against the Magpies courtesy of goals from Reece James and Joao Pedro in the second-half.
Aston Villa preview: Title challenging Villans
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have moved themselves into the title race in the Premier League as the Villans now sit just three points behind Arsenal, who they defeated at the top-of-the-table.
They have won ten on the bounce and 16 out of 18 across all competitions after a Morgan Rogers brace inspired them to a 2-1 defeat of Manchester United at Villa Park last weekend.
Chelsea team news: Delap and Estevao back
Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer is now 'ready for 90 minutes' this weekend, with both Estevao and Liam Delap also being deemed available to face Aston Villa.
Levi Colwill remains a confirmed longer-term absentee for the Blues alongside midfield duo Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
Unavailable: Colwill (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Essugo (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary)
Questionable:
Aston Villa team news: Guessand at AFCON
Unai Emery has been dealt a blow in the week as Evann Guessand as been called up late on by the Ivory Coast to cover for the injured Sebastian Haller at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Emiliano Martinez has returned to full fitness but Spain international centre-back Pau Torres is now a confirmed absentee alongside both Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Digne; Tielemans, Onana; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Unavailable: Mings (Injured), Torres (Injured), Barkley (Injured), Guessand (International duty)
Questionable:
Chelsea vs Aston Villa prediction
Home advantage should give Chelsea an energy and intensity in the first-half that was badly missing in Newcastle last week, before coming to life after the half-time interval. Villa head to west London knowing that statistical probability would suggest a defeat, or even a draw, is coming soon, especially with results perhaps being better than their performances have been. Chelsea aren’t a trustworthy team to back against such strong opposition but both teams scoring seems a good bet.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa tip: Both teams to score
