Two clubs battling for a top-four Premier League spot clash as Chelsea hosts Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon (1:30 PM UK time).
Chelsea vs Aston Villa predicted lineups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Aston Villa (4-4-1-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Kamara, Tielemans, Rogers; McGinn; Watkins
Both teams enter this match after participating in European competitions earlier this week. Chelsea fought hard to earn three points in the Conference League against Heidenheim on Thursday, while Aston Villa played to a draw with Juventus in the Champions League just two days earlier.
As the focus shifts to the Premier League, Chelsea are looking to secure consecutive victories. Last weekend, Enzo Maresca guided his team to a win against his former club, Leicester City, at the King Power Stadium. However, Chelsea has only managed to gather nine out of 22 Premier League points at Stamford Bridge this season, marking the lowest home points ratio in the league.
Villa managed to secure only one point from three Premier League matches in November, enduring a heavy defeat against Tottenham Hotspur and losing to Liverpool, before drawing with a resilient Crystal Palace last Saturday.
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Joe Cole backs Chelsea to challenge for the title
Joe Cole believes that his old team, Chelsea, has the potential to compete for the Premier League title, but this is contingent upon a specific factor.
The Blues have exceeded expectations at the start of the season and is currently positioned fourth in the league standings as they head into the hectic festive period.
- Read more: Chelsea vs Aston Villa predictions and stats
Enzo Maresca has acknowledged that the team is already exceeding his expectations, and Chelsea could potentially move up to second place by the end of the weekend. The league is very competitive this year, with several teams in the chasing pack struggling with consistency.
- Nicolas Jackson to score first (21/4 with BetMGM)
Notably, only four points separate Chelsea from Newcastle, who are in tenth place. Cole finds it “remarkable” that the Blues are even in a position to challenge for the title.
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“I think if they (Chelsea) can be at the turn of the year after the Christmas period, if they’re within six points I think they can mount a title challenge,” he told The Daily Mail.
“Because knowing the owners, I think they’ll go in and have a go again (in the January transfer window).
“But that is really remarkable that I’m saying that because there were times last year when you were searching for answers and we didn’t know where they’d end up.”
Chelsea vs Aston Villa team news
Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer and midfielder Romeo Lavia will rejoin Maresca’s matchday squad after being absent from the Conference League lineup.
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, who missed the Heidenheim match, are anticipated to be the starting midfielders this weekend. Reece James is currently dealing with a new hamstring injury and is taking a gradual approach to recovery, likely sidelining him for several weeks.
Malo Gusto has not played since the international break, while Pedro Neto is recovering from an injury sustained while representing Portugal.
Ezri Konsa, who was on the bench during Tuesday’s match against Juventus, is expected to reclaim his position in the Aston Villa starting lineup alongside Pau Torres, which may lead to Diego Carlos being dropped from the defence if Emery opts to keep Matty Cash at right-back.
Colombian forward Jhon Duran, known for his impactful performances off the bench, is vying for a starting role, potentially at the expense of top scorer Ollie Watkins.