Chelsea vs Aston Villa preview, predictions & confirmed team news as Abraham returns
Frank Lampard has suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time as Chelsea boss after seeing his side fall to defeats against Manchester City and West Ham.
The Blues will welcome the quick turnaround as they face Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday with a chance to make amends for a sub-par showing against the Hammers.
Villa will be in good spirits after coming away from Old Trafford with a point in a game where they were the better side for large parts.
Heading to London to face Chelsea will complete a difficult pair of away trips for Dean Smith’s side who will be hoping to return to Villa Park with a result from both.
When is Chelsea v Aston Villa and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Wednesday, 04 December 2019
Kick-off: 7:30 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): The game is not available on traditional television but will be streamed live on Amazon Prime Video.
Last five meetings: Chelsea vs Aston Villa
15 March 2014: Aston Villa 1-0 Chelsea (Premier League)
27 September 2014: Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
07 February 2015: Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
17 October 2015: Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
02 April 2016: Aston Villa 0-4 Chelsea (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Chelsea (WWDLL) 11-2 Aston Villa (LLDWW)
Ones to watch
Chelsea: Christian Pulisic
The USA international endured a difficult start to life in west London as he struggled to immediately force his way into Lampard‘s starting line up. However, he has now found his mojo and once again starts in attack alongside Tammy Abraham and Willian.
Lampard has hinted that the 22-year-old’s ability to provide runs in behind is a strength he will look to utilise and, with Chelsea struggling in front of goal against West Ham it could be a big night for Pulisic.
Key stat: Only Tammy Abraham (11) has scored more goals than Christian Pulisic (6) for Chelsea this season.
Aston Villa: Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish is now in the frame for Euro 2020 and will feel he deserves his chance to prove it on the international stage. The Villa skipper has already proven his place is in the top-flight and his efforts this season, alongside John McGinn, have helped Villa compete with some of the better sides and beat those expected to struggle.
His goal at Old Trafford at the weekend was his third of the campaign and helped the Villans picked up a deserved point.
Key stat: Jack Grealish has been directly involved in seven goals (three goals, four assists) in the Premier League this season, no Villa player has been involved in more (level with Anwar El Ghazi).
Team news
Chelsea
Tammy Abraham has been passed fit to face his old side, starting alongside Willian and Pulisic in attack. There is also a return for N’Golo Kante in the midfield, with the Frenchman starting ahead of Jorginho.
Andreas Christensen partners Kurt Zouma at centre-back and Willian replaces Pedro, while Reece James continues at right-back for the Blues.
Confirmed XI: Arrizabalaga, James, Zouma, Christensen, Azpilicueta; Kovacic, Kante, Mount; Willian, Abraham, Pulisic.
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Aston Villa
Ahmed Elmohamady starts in place of the suspended Frederic Guilbert in one of three changes from the team that drew with Man United.
The other alterations sees Trezeguet joining Welsey and Grealish in attack, with Anwar El Ghazi failing to recover from an injury picked up at Old Trafford, while Marvelous Nakamba replaces Douglas Luiz.
Confirmed XI: Heaton; Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Nakamba, McGinn, Hourihane; Trezeguet, Wesley, Grealish.
Squawka prediction
Chelsea have been excellent this season but have failed to pick up three points against any of the other ‘big six’ so far. Defeats to Manchester United, Liverpool and Man City highlight the work they will need to do to pull level with the better sides in the league and back-to-back defeats will give them a nice dose of reality.
Villa have improved after a tricky start, beating the teams in and around them yet still struggling against the top teams. Chelsea should bounce back from the disappointment at the weekend with victory in this one.
Scoreline prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
