Chelsea will play host to Aston Villa at the Stamford Bridge in a crucial match on the first day of December. The Blues, under Enzo Maresca, have played some excellent football but results against top teams have not gone their way at the time of writing. On the other hand, Villa have continued in the same manner they finished last season and is doing just fine under Unai Emery.
As of the time of writing this article, Chelsea are sixth on the Premier League log, while Aston Villa sit in fourth spot – just four points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea, who spent massively in the previous season, were at it again this summer with the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo, Omari Kellyman, Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jadon Sancho and Joao Felix added to the squad. The Blues looked to have improved in some areas but there is still so much work to be done as evident in the first eight games under the Italian tactician. One Chelsea concern could be in goalkeeping.
The Blues have made a different start to the season as compared to last term and they are looking good for a return to the Europa League or Champions League at this rate. The Blues have won four games, drawn two, and lost just two. The two defeats came against superior oppositions in Manchester City and Liverpool. However, draws at home against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest could be costly in the weeks ahead.
Off the pitch, the Blues have been racking up the awards as Cole Palmer claimed the Player of the Month award in September, while Maresca won the Coach of the Month award. It has been going excellently well for them as well as summer recruit Sancho who now looks happy at Stamford Bridge.
Aston Villa can be seen as superior opponents based on last season’s finish on the log, so the Blues know they will need to step up their work if they are to avoid another home defeat. Emery’s side are not afraid of any opposition and can cause their hosts a lot of problems if they slack.
“I think the performance was very good. I just said, we don’t like losing games, or dropping points but if you have to decide the way, then this is probably the way. I’ve been in the stadium many times and have seen Liverpool for a long time, it’s not easy,” said Maresca after the defeat at Anfield.
“I think overall, we controlled the game and for most parts of the game we dominated the game, but we lost. We are not happy. We don’t like [it] but as I said, the performance on and off the ball was very good.”
On the other hand, Aston Villa have fared slightly better as they have five wins to their name as of the time of writing. Their only loss of the season came against Arsenal, while they have drawn the remaining two games.
Without any doubt, the Villains were one of the busiest teams in the transfer market during the summer and they have grown from strength to strength since then. Colombian Striker Jhon Duran, who just signed a new deal at Villa Park, has been a revelation this term, while Morgan Rogers has also taken his performance to another level. Emery’s units are solid at the moment and beating them will never be easy.
In this fixture last season, the Villa side won. In fact, they have won at Stamford Bridge in each of their past two visits without conceding a goal. It goes to show how excellent they have been in this fixture. Regardless of current form, there is a lot of time before this game is played and fortunes might be different then.
Chelsea v Aston Villa’s head-to-head record shows that in the 60 meetings they’ve had since 1995, Chelsea have won 31 times and Aston Villa have won 14 times. 15 fixtures have ended in a draw.
Match tickets
This match at Stamford Bridge in London kicks off on Sunday 1st December 2024, at 13:30 GMT.
The 40,343-capacity stadium is the place for this clash between the Blues and the Villa side.
Getting tickets for the Chelsea v Aston Villa tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
Chelsea, under Maresca in the Premier League, seem to have a regular XI and it is expected that it remains that way. Star boy Cole Palmer remains the player everything goes through in the team, while Nicolas Jackson should lead the line once again. The Blues will fancy their chances in this game, especially with Pedro Neto leaving his mark on the lineup.
Chelsea XI: Robert Sanchez; Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo; Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho.
Unai Emery’s men have continued their fine form this season. Apart from the home defeat to Arsenal, they have been impressive and they might be a force to reckon with this term. Boubacar Kamara and Tyronne Mings, who are just returning from long-term injuries, could be available for this trip. All things being equal, Emiliano Martinez is expected to remain in goal, while Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran should be key in the final third for the Villans.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne, McGin, Onana, Tielemans, Bailey, Watkins.
Prediction
Chelsea have shown promise in multiple games this season, and here is another game to test their readiness. Maresca and his team know what is at stake and nothing but a strong performance including a good result will be acceptable.
The Villans have enjoyed two wins in their past two visits and they know a third consecutive win over the Blues will be difficult, but the team is capable of making it happen.
Without a doubt, this game is well placed on an edge and it could just be defined by fine margins.
Chelsea 2-2 Aston Villa