Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Two camps who are seeking their own respective Premier League boosts on Wednesday night, Aston Villa will welcome Chelsea to the Midlands.
Aston Villa
Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa might have opened the New Year at the heart of a famous title scrap, Aston Villa have largely come crashing back down to earth over the past month. Putting in a season-worst performance over the weekend as they fell to a deserved 2-0 loss away at bitter local rivals Wolves, Unai Emery’s men now have a real battle on their hands in the race to capture a lucrative Champions League ticket. Watching their FA Cup adventure come to a thumping end on February 14th as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at home against Newcastle, Aston Villa have recorded just a single win from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Likewise, last seen in the Midlands settling for a 1-1 stalemate against Leeds, Emery’s side have claimed just a sole win from their last five domestic showdowns at Villa Park.
Aston Villa Team News
Both still dealing with respective knee injuries, Aston Villa will once again be without the midfield duo of Boubacar Kamara and skipper John McGinn on Wednesday night. Likewise, Belgium international Youri Tielemans is still dealing with an ankle issue and remains a major doubt.
Completing a permanent return to Villa Park during the January transfer window, new recruit Tammy Abraham could be handed a full recall. Only making a cameo appearance off the bench at Molineux, Dutch international Ian Maatsen should replace Lucas Diane at left-back.
Chelsea
As for the visitors, while Chelsea might have enjoyed a sensational immediate boost following Liam Rosenior’s shock arrival over the festive period, the Blues are now searching for some crucial stability. Last seen over the weekend falling to a lively 2-1 loss away at bitter local rivals and Premier League leaders Arsenal, the former Strasbourg boss has seen his squad register just a single win from any of their previous five showdowns against top-flight opposition. Suffering last-gasp heartbreak at home against relegation scrappers Burnley on February 21st, Chelsea also know the importance of finding some crucial defensive steel. In fact, Wednesday’s guests have recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 14 consecutive showdowns against Premier League opposition – a run that stems all the way back to December 13th.
Chelsea Team News
Shown a second-half red card away at Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, former Wolves star Pedro Neto will miss out through suspension here. However, serving his own respective one-match ban over the weekend, French international Wesley Fofana could be handed an immediate recall.
Yet to make a single appearance so far this season, England international Levi Colwill remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury. Once again missing out on Sunday with a reported hamstring issue, Chelsea are expected to be without Marc Cucurella in the Midlands.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea Key Factors to Consider
- When Aston Villa and Chelsea met for their reverse Premier League battle on December 27th, Emery’s men collected a 2-1 victory in west London.
- However, Villa have failed to win any of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
- Chelsea have registered just a single win from any of their previous five showdowns against top-flight opposition.
- The Blues have remarkably recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 14 consecutive showdowns against Premier League opposition – a run that stems all the way back to December 13th.
- Four of the last five meetings between Aston Villa and Chelsea have fin ished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
In what is a real six-pointer in this year’s Champions League chase, we look set for what could be a season-defining battle from the Midlands. Two camps who are seeking their own respective domestic boosts, we also have a battle between two leaky defences. While Aston Villa might have secured a 2-1 victory when they travelled to Stamford Bridge back on December 27th, Wednesday’s opponents have a habit of proceeding fireworks when they meet.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet