Aston Villa vs. Chelsea | Premier League | Pre Match

Two Premier League teams with aspirations of securing a top-four finish lock horns at Villa Park on Saturday evening as Aston Villa play host to Chelsea. With both sides eager to cement their places among the league’s elite, the stakes are high in what promises to be an intense battle between two clubs that have experienced contrasting fortunes throughout the season.

Unai Emery's side will be seeking revenge against the West Londoners after they suffered a 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge at the beginning of December. That comprehensive loss served as a stark reminder of the progress Villa still need to make to consistently challenge the traditional top-six clubs. Since then, however, the Lions have shown resilience, even if results have not always reflected their efforts.

Aston Villa have failed to win any of their last five Premier League matches, frustratingly drawing four of those, including their most recent outing against league leaders Liverpool on Wednesday night. In what was an enthralling contest, Villa initially fell behind to Mohamed Salah’s opener but responded with goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins, putting them in control before Trent Alexander-Arnold's deflected strike salvaged a 2-2 draw for the Reds. Emery conceded afterward that the result was a fair reflection of a game that saw both teams create numerous chances.

Despite their recent struggles to secure three points, Aston Villa remain in the hunt for a Champions League berth. They currently sit ninth in the table but are only five points behind Manchester City in fourth and four points adrift of Bournemouth and Chelsea, who occupy fifth and sixth positions respectively. With the race for the top four as competitive as ever, every point gained or dropped could prove pivotal in the final standings.

A key aspect of Villa’s season has been their formidable home form. No Premier League team has drawn more home matches this season than Aston Villa (seven), and while that statistic may indicate a lack of killer instinct, it also highlights their resilience and ability to avoid defeat. Their only loss at Villa Park in their last 22 top-flight matches came against Arsenal in August, demonstrating that they remain a tough nut to crack on home soil. However, their record against London clubs of late has been less than stellar, winning just four of their last 15 encounters against teams from the capital. This marks a stark contrast to their previous dominance, when they won ten straight games against London-based sides between April 2023 and February 2024. Additionally, Villa have only managed two wins in their last 11 home meetings with Chelsea, their last triumphs coming in 2014 and 2021.

Chelsea, on the other hand, enter this contest in dire need of a response following a string of disappointing performances. After enjoying an impressive 12-game unbeaten run between November and late December, their form has since taken a nosedive, winning just three of their last ten matches across all competitions. Their struggles were epitomized by back-to-back defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion, first in the FA Cup fourth round and then in a dismal 3-0 Premier League loss a week later.

The latter defeat against Brighton was particularly concerning, as Chelsea failed to register a single shot on target for the first time in a Premier League match since September 2021. Enzo Maresca, who admitted that it was the worst performance since he took charge, will be demanding a strong response from his players. His side has now slipped to sixth in the table, although they remain just one point behind the top four, keeping their Champions League hopes alive.

Chelsea’s away form, however, is a growing concern. The Blues have failed to win any of their last six matches on the road across all competitions (D2 L4), scoring a mere two goals in their last five away Premier League fixtures. This lack of attacking potency on their travels has undermined their top-four ambitions, with their last Premier League away win coming over two months ago. Nonetheless, Chelsea can take solace in their historical success at Villa Park. They have won 13 Premier League away matches against Aston Villa, a tally bettered only against Tottenham (16) and Southampton (15). Moreover, their emphatic 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge earlier this season will serve as a psychological boost ahead of this encounter.

Villa’s squad has been hit by injuries, leaving Emery with key selection dilemmas. Pau Torres (ankle), Amadou Onana (thigh), and Boubacar Kamara (muscle) are all ruled out, while doubts linger over the availability of Ezri Konsa, Leon Bailey, and Ross Barkley, all of whom will be assessed before kickoff. With defensive options depleted, Emery may turn to Lamare Bogarde to partner Tyrone Mings at the heart of the backline. Marcus Rashford, who is yet to score since his loan move from Manchester United, could retain his place on the left flank, particularly given his strong record against Chelsea, having netted four goals in eight home Premier League games against them. Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers, Marco Asensio, and Ollie Watkins will be expected to provide the attacking spark for the hosts.

Chelsea’s injury concerns are equally troubling. Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Wesley Fofana, Omari Kellyman (all hamstring), Romeo Lavia (muscle), and Marc Guiu (groin) are all sidelined, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is suspended. Benoit Badiashile (thigh) faces a late fitness test. In defense, Reece James and Tosin Adarabioyo are pushing for starts at the expense of Malo Gusto and Trevoh Chalobah. With Madueke unavailable, Jadon Sancho is expected to slot in on the left wing, allowing Pedro Neto to switch to the right. Meanwhile, Cole Palmer, who has failed to register a goal or assist in his last five outings, will be eager to rediscover his form. Alongside Christopher Nkunku, Palmer is likely to be tasked with spearheading Chelsea’s attack, with both players potentially operating in a fluid false nine system.

With both teams desperate for a positive result to boost their top-four aspirations, this clash at Villa Park has all the ingredients for a gripping contest. Aston Villa will rely on their strong home record to earn a vital three points, while Chelsea will hope to capitalize on their historical dominance over their hosts. In what promises to be a fascinating battle, the outcome could have significant implications for the race for Champions League qualification.