Chelsea go host Aston Villa for Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, as dem try stop Unai Emery side wey don win 10 straight matches across all competitions.
Enzo Maresca boys don already fall seven points behind Villa for the table, and Villa fit even end the day joint-top of the league. If Chelsea lose this one for West London, e fit turn serious wahala for their top-three ambition, especially as other top-four contenders dey close in fast.
Match Preview
Just few weeks ago, things dey look balanced between both sides. When Chelsea, with 10 men, manage hold Arsenal to 1-1 draw for late November, the Blues dey third for the table. Dem get 24 points, same as Aston Villa, just one point behind Manchester City and six behind Arsenal.
Fast forward four gameweeks enter matchday 18, story don change completely. Chelsea don manage collect only five points from possible 12, and that one don push dem seven points behind Villa, eight behind Man City, and a shocking 10 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
This slide na clear result of dip for performance and results. Chelsea don win just one of their last four league matches — a 2-0 home win against Everton. Before that run, dem win three league games back-to-back before holding Arsenal to draw at the Bridge.
Still, Maresca go point to Chelsea last match as sign of fight. Against Newcastle United, the Blues come back from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park. But make no mistake, Chelsea never win any of their last three away league matches.
Returning to Stamford Bridge go give Chelsea some confidence. For West London, dem don collect seven points from their last three home league games, keeping clean sheets against Wolves and Everton in convincing 3-0 and 2-0 wins.
However, Chelsea home form no be bulletproof. Losses to Brighton and Sunderland earlier this season show say dem fit still stumble in front of their own fans. Aston Villa go dey happy hear that, as dem dey eye Chelsea third home league defeat of the season.
If that one happen, Chelsea fit drop outside top four. Liverpool dey fifth with same 29 points, while Sunderland dey sixth, just two points behind Chelsea. One bad night fit quickly turn Chelsea season upside down.
For Aston Villa side, confidence dey overflow. Unai Emery men don turn December into dreamland after incredible run wey push dem straight into title conversation.
Villa season no start well at all. Dem lose two and draw three of their first five league matches, and dem no even score goal for their first four games. That dry spell finally end with 1-1 draw away to Sunderland in September.
Since that match, Villa don go on crazy run: 33 points from possible 36, winning 11 of their last 12 Premier League games.
That form don lift dem enter third place, just one point behind Manchester City and three points behind Arsenal. If Arsenal lose to Brighton and Man City fail to beat Nottingham Forest, Villa fit end the weekend joint-top of the league.
Even though Arsenal and City dey favourites for their matches, Villa still go back themselves to get result for Stamford Bridge. History dey on their side too. Villa don win two of their last three visits to the Bridge, beating Chelsea 2-0 in 2022-23 and 1-0 in 2023-24.
Only Man City fit match Villa current five-game winning run for the league. And no team don collect reach Villa 27 points from last 10 matches — City get 24 for that same period. With that kind momentum, Emery boys no go fear Chelsea fans one bit.
Team News
Chelsea injury situation don improve well. Liam Delap and Estevao Willian don return to contention, meaning the only injured players be Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill, with Colwill set for long-term absence.
Cole Palmer don return to the side, and that one fit force Maresca to adjust his usual big-game tactics. The Italian coach like use Reece James inside midfield alongside Moises Caicedo, allowing Enzo Fernandez push further forward.
That approach still fit work if James start for right-back, then move inside when Chelsea dey on the ball. Maresca likely go set up with Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana as back three during possession.
For Aston Villa, on-loan Chelsea player Harvey Elliott dey ill, though e no likely start anyway. Ross Barkley (knee), Tyrone Mings (hamstring) and Pau Torres (calf) all dey out injured.
Evann Guessand don also get AFCON call-up as replacement for Sebastien Haller, ruling am out of this match.
Morgan Rogers continue to embody Villa attacking confidence. The midfielder don score braces against West Ham and Manchester United in back-to-back matches, and he go look to cause more damage for London.
Possible Starting Lineups
Chelsea possible XI:
Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
Aston Villa possible XI:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen; Kamara, Onana; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins
Prediction
We say: Chelsea 2-2 Aston Villa
Maresca dey enjoy big games and usually come with clear plan, and Chelsea rarely collapse for Stamford Bridge.
However, Aston Villa dey among the most in-form teams for the league right now. Their ability to score from difficult chances fit help dem again for West London. With everything considered, this one smell like draw, as both teams share the points.
