Aston Villa v Chelsea: Preview, Predictions & Odds Picks

Chelsea travel to Aston Villa in desperate need of three points in order to keep their European hopes alive. The hosts also have some very high aspirations of their own.

Date: 27/04/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Villa Park

Aston Villa are in an increasingly strong position to finish in the top four of the Premier League, and therefore secure a place in next season’s Champions League. They have enjoyed a fantastic season in which they have accumulated 66 points so far, which is 16 more than sixth place Newcastle. Victory against Chelsea would make it very difficult for Tottenham to catch them, who they lead by six points with a superior goal difference. Defeat, however, could hand the momentum back to their North London rivals.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men have enjoyed an upturn in form as of late, having been unbeaten in eight league games. There have been plenty of draws which has seen them miss a number of opportunities to climb the table, but they are still within touching distance of a European place. Chelsea are currently ninth, only three points off Newcastle, whilst having a game in hand. Three points will strengthen their position, but a loss would see them fall further behind.

Despite the unbeaten stretch, the Blues have showcased some very inconsistent defence. Prior to their 6-0 win over Everton, they had conceded at least two goals in each of the previous seven games, which has highlighted the importance of getting their attack clicking. Villa will almost certainly take advantage of this weakness, as they have scored in each of their last nine games. Ollie Watkins has been the offensive spark, scoring 19 goals, placing him second in the top scorer charts. It is Cole Palmer of Chelsea who holds first place, alongside Erling Haaland, with 20 goals. It has been an excellent debut campaign for the youngster, and he will look to continue his goal scoring form in which he has scored seven in his last three league games.

Since 2020, these two teams have met 11 times in all competitions. Chelsea have got the better of their opponents on six occasions, whilst Villa have won just three. They have already faced off three times this season, once in the Premier League and twice in the FA Cup fourth round. The first cup game ended 0-0 at Stamford Bridge, forcing a replay at Villa Park two weeks later. This ended 3-1 in the visitors’ favour, as Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez all scored before a late Moussa Diaby consolation. The league meeting was a narrow 1-0 win for Villa, with Watkins’ strike the difference between the two sides.

Aston Villa Team News

Villa have a number of season-ending injuries, but will welcome back Douglas Luiz, who had served a two-game suspension after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season.

Chelsea Team News

Levi Colwill has been absent with a toe injury but could return. Christopher Nkunku has returned to partial training, though his return date is yet to be determined. Reece James and Lesley Ugochukwu are further behind in their recoveries.

Aston Villa Form Guide

In their last five games, Aston Villa have won three, drawn one and lost one. It has been a great stretch for Villa as they have strengthened their place in the top four. Last time out they hosted Bournemouth, and their good form continued with a 3-1 win. They had to come from behind after Dominic Solanke gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot. Goals from Morgan Rogers, Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey turned it around.

Their only defeat in this stretch came in the Europa Conference League, as French side Lille beat them 2-1 in the second leg, matching the score from the first leg. However, the English side prevailed 4-3 on penalties to advance to the semi-finals of the competition. They were close to elimination, down two goals with three minutes to go, but Matty Cash scored late on to keep them alive. It was the reverse in the first leg at Villa Park, as Ollie Watkins and John McGinn put the hosts 2-0 up, before Lille pulled one back.

Between these two legs was a huge 2-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates. In what was a pivotal game in the race for both the title and top four, it was Unai Emery’s team who came out on top. Growing in confidence throughout the match, they finally were rewarded for their performance as Bailey opened the scoring with six minutes to go. The lead was doubled three minutes later, with a deft Watkins chip putting the game to bed.

The first game of this run was a thrilling 3-3 draw with Brentford. Watkins put Villa ahead against his former team, before Rogers doubled the advantage shortly after the restart. The Bees then scored three goals in nine minutes to turn the game on its head. They could not hold on though, as Watkins netted his second of the afternoon to ensure the points were shared.

Chelsea Form Guide

In their last five games, Chelsea have won two, drawn two and lost one. It has been an extended unbeaten run for Chelsea in the league, though in their most recent game they faced Man CIty in the semi-final of the FA Cup at Wembley. They were eliminated after a late Bernardo Silva goal gave City a narrow 1-0 victory.

However, this run of games started with unnecessary dropped points as they drew 2-2 at home with relegation threatened and 10 man Burnley. It had been an underwhelming first half, but the hosts were offered the chance to go in front as they were awarded a penalty, which consequently saw Lorenz Assignon receive a second yellow card. Cole Palmer scored the subsequent penalty to put his side ahead. Shortly after the restart, Burnley equalised through Josh Cullen, before Palmer restored the lead once more. Dara O’Shea’s header ensured the Clarets returned home with a point.

The Blues got back to winning ways in dramatic fashion, scoring two stoppage time goals to defeat Man United 4-3 at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea went 2-0 up early thanks to a Conor Gallagher strike and Palmer penalty. A Moises Caicedo mistake inadvertently let United back into the game, before they turned it around with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes. Deep into stoppage time, Diogo Dalot brought down Noni Madueke in the box, giving Palmer the opportunity to level the score. He obliged, and two minutes later he scored the latest Premier League winner in history, deflecting his shot off Scott McTominay and past the wrong-footed Andre Onana. They once again blew two leads to draw 2-2, this time away at Sheffield United. Thiago Silva and Madueke twice gave them leads, but they were pegged back both times, including in the 93rd minute.

They responded with perhaps their most dominant performance of the season, thrashing Everton 6-0. Palmer bagged four of them, which included a first-half perfect hat-trick. Nicolas Jackson and youngster Alfie Gilchrist were the other scorers in the rout. Before they travel to Villa at the weekend, they face Arsenal at the Emirates in midweek.

Goals should be expected in this one, with both attacks enjoying plenty of success in recent weeks. Chelsea also leak many goals. As a result, this could be an entertaining, high-scoring affair - Aston Villa 2-2 Chelsea

Aston Villa v Chelsea will be available to watch on the Peacock Network (An NBC live-streaming Platform)