The international break is done and dusted and now is time to turn out attention to club football, with the top leagues resuming on the weekend.
On Saturday, as many as eight games will be on show, with the action on the day ending with an intriguing game in the capital, as Thomas Tuchel’s welcome Villa to west London hoping to extend their unbeaten start to four games in the league (W2, D1).
While Villa will be keen to earn their second win of the season after an average start to the 2021/22 campaign (W1, D1, L1).
The Blues were top class in their opening two games, as they blew away Crystal Palace and Arsenal. However, Thomas Tuchel & co. showed their resilient side last time out, as they managed to hold Liverpool to a 1-1 draw after going down to ten men at the stroke of half-time.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, have somewhat bounced back from a slow start to the season, that saw them go down 3-2 to Watford. The Villans then cruised to a 2-0 win over Newcastle United before being held to a 1-1 draw by a stubborn Brentford side.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa – Team News
Chelsea will be without injured N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic for Saturday’s visit of Aston Villa.
Striker Romelu Lukaku is available after recovering from injury, Thiago Silva is back while Reece James in suspended.
Aston Villa
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will be absent from a league game for the first time in his Aston Villa career due to quarantine rules which also apply to Argentina team-mate Emiliano Buendia.
But, they will be buoyed by the return of Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey but the trip to Stamford Bridge comes too soon for Bertrand Traore, who has only just returned to training after injury.
Chelsea VS Aston Villa – Possible Lineups
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Mendy; Christensen, Chalobah, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Jorginho, Alonso; Havertz, Lukaku, Mount
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Steer; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Bailey, McGinn, Luiz, El Ghazi; Ings, Watkins
Chelsea vs Aston Villa – Key Players
Chelsea – Romelu Lukaku
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has looked brilliant since rejoining the club and looks certain to be among the top scorers in the Premier League this season.
He netted in his first match against Arsenal, scoring the first goal of the game, and will be looking for his first top-flight goal at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has scored in each of his last five Premier League appearances against Aston Villa, netting six goals in total in this run.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Romelu Lukaku of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Everton at Villa Park on March 1, 2016 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Aston Villa – Danny ings
The summer signing from Southampton hits the ground running since he came to the Villains.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Danny Ings of Southampton scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on October 17, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Danny Ings has been involved in eight goals in his last nine Premier League starts (6 goals, 2 assists), registering a goal involvement in all three of his appearances for Aston Villa so far (2 goals, 1 assist) and will be looking to add another to his tally on Saturday.
Opta stats
- Chelsea have lost just one of their last 16 home league games against Aston Villa (W11 D4), going down 3-1 in December 2011.
- Aston Villa won their last Premier League meeting with Chelsea, winning 2-1 on the final day of last season. They’ve not won consecutive league games against the Blues since October 1993 under Ron Atkinson.
- Since Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge of Chelsea, only Manchester City (51) have won more Premier League points than the Blues (45 – W13 D6 L3).
Chelsea VS Aston Villa – Prediction
Chelsea have proven they could be the real deal this season. The addition of Romelu Lukaku will no doubt give them the added firepower in the attacking line that they need to break down all sides.
While Aston Villa are not as formidable as they were last season, they still have enough quality to cause an upset against the best of Premier League teams.
However, the absence of Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez means the Villans are short ridden.
Chelsea have more than enough class going forward and this should be a convincing win for the Blues and all eyes will be on Aston villa whether they can trouble the Chelsea’s defence or it ends in 2 nil win.
Score Prediction
Chelsea 3 : 1 Aston Villa
Possible Goalscorers : Harvetz, Pulisic, Lukaku ; Ings