Aston Villa v Chelsea predicted line-ups, how to watch, team news, referee and stats

There was good news on Friday afternoon as Aston Villa avoided Europe’s heavyweights in the Champions League round-of-16 draw.

The Villans were handed a tasty tie with Club Brugge – a team they already played and lost against during the league-phase.

Still, a clash with the Belgian side means Villa have a good chance of progressing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League – potentially an unprecedented achievement when you look where they were a couple of years ago.

While the dreadful Steven Gerrard era seems a long time ago, Villa’s newly found successes won’t count for much if they can’t balance their European exploits with domestic duties.

Emery’s men are in the midst of a five-match winless run in the league and have slipped to ninth spot. While the top six are still in view, the Villans will not want that gap getting any bigger.

Chelsea have endured a similar dip in results. Enzo Maresca’s men can’t find any consistency, winning just two of their last nine Premier League matches.

The Blues have a lot of work to do if they are to challenge for a top four finish and Champions League qualification. That starts with Saturday’s game against Villa – a team they’ve only beaten twice in six meetings.

 

Aston Villa team news

Axel Disasi arrived at Villa Park on loan from Chelsea and won’t be able to take on his old club this weekend.

The hosts are also without Ross Barkley, Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana and Pau Torres.

In better news for Emery, Ezri Konsa is on the mend and could make his comeback against the Blues.

The same goes for Leon Bailey who will face a late fitness test before a decision is made.
 

Aston Villa predicted line-up

Martinez - Garcia, Bogarde, Mings, Digne - Tielemans, McGinn - Rogers, Asensio, Rashford - Watkins

 

Chelsea team news

One of the reasons behind Chelsea’s dip in form has been the raft of names on the sideline.

Maresca remains without winger Noni Madueke who is expected to miss the next month of action due to a hamstring issue.

Defenders Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana are expected to make a comeback in March, while Romeo Lavia and Nicolas Jackson will have to wait until April to make their returns.

 

Chelsea predicted line-up

Jorgensen - James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella - Caicedo, Fernandez - Neto, Palmer, Sancho – Nkunku

 

Aston Villa v Chelsea: How to watch and listen

Fans can watch Saturday’s game live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. There’s also live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.

 

Aston Villa v Chelsea stats:

Aston Villa have won just two of their last 11 Premier League home games against Chelsea

Chelsea have won 13 Premier League matches away against Aston Villa, only winning more away at Tottenham (16) and Southampton (15)

Aston Villa have lost just one of their last 22 Premier League home games played on Saturday’s

Chelsea have lost four of their last eight Premier League matches

Since February 2024, Aston Villa have only won four of 15 Premier League games against teams from London

 

Unai Emery (Aston Villa) quotes:

On Chelsea

“Chelsea is really a very good test, collectively, individually, very good test.
“In the table we are more or less under our target, and tomorrow we have to try to get this opportunity again to try to compete and to try to get three points.”

On previous meetings with Blues

“Last year against Chelsea at home, in the FA Cup we were out, in the Premier League match we played more or less in February/March, we compete very well but we draw. They were always demanding (of) us a lot, always.

“This year we played there in London, we lost and we deserved to lose. We didn’t perform, we didn’t compete like I think we have to, to get to the level we achieved last year.

“This year, more or less, we are achieving something, but not consistency.”

 

Enzo Maresca (Chelsea) quotes:

On Aston Villa

“They are, since the new project with Emery, doing fantastic. This season you can see in the Champions League, they finished first eight and are fighting to finish top four also this season. The team is very good. And the managers is one of the best managers.”

On target this season

“We said many times: I think we spent almost the season in top four and with 13 games to go, the target, for sure, is top four. We will try our best to achieve that. Knowing the difficult moment we have now is one of the most important reasons why is because of the injury situation. Five or six significant players out.

“I'm here to win games - to bring this club to fight for titles. The problem is when you win games, you look humble and when you don't win games, you look like a lack of ambition. Since day one, my intention is to bring this club where it needs to be.”

On Sanchez’s new haircut

“I said to him 'if you want to play again, you need the same haircut as mine' [laughs].”

 

Aston Villa v Chelsea referee stats:

Everyone’s favourite Michael Oliver will be the man in the middle for Saturday’s encounter.

During his 19 Premier League games this season, Oliver has dished out 94 bookings – including five red cards.

His last game featuring Chelsea took place in November when the Blues played out a 1-1 draw with London rivals Arsenal.

Oliver’s only fixture this season featuring Aston Villa was back in August when the Villans lost 2-0 to Arsenal.

 

Aston Villa v Chelsea tips and best odds:

Aston Villa 31/20 - Chelsea 8/5 - Draw 11/4

 

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(All odds are correct at the time of article publication)

 

Under 3.5 goals – 3/5

With both teams in the midst of a sticky period, this doesn’t have the makings of a high-scoring encounter. With that in mind, it may be worth to consider the under 3.5 market.

 

Aston Villa draw no bet – 19/20

Aston Villa are unbeaten in 13 straight home games across all competitions. You wouldn’t expect Chelsea to end that impressive record considering the poor form they’re currently in. What’s more, Villa in the draw no bet market are almost even money.

 

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