Chelsea meet Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in a Premier League mid-table showdown.
Victory could see Chelsea climb to ninth if Fulham fail to win in a mid-afternoon kick-off, whilst Villa can leapfrog Chelsea with a win and potentially go ninth themselves.
Team News
Kai Havertz is set to be available for Chelsea after he withdrew from international duty for Germany due to illness.
N’Golo Kante could return following his recovery from a lengthy hamstring injury, which has kept him out for much of this season.
Edouard Mendy (finger), Christian Pulisic (illness), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (back), Mason Mount (abdominal) and Reece James (leg) are doubts and face late fitness tests.
Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling (both hamstring) are unlikely to be risked but could return in the Blues’ rearranged midweek clash against Liverpool on Tuesday evening.
Cesar Azpilicueta (concussion), Thiago Silva and Armando Broja (both knee) remain absent.
Aston Villa could be without Matty Cash after he suffered a muscle injury whilst on international duty for Poland.
Leander Dendoncker (unspecified), Boubacar Kamara (leg) and Philippe Coutinho (muscle) are doubts but Jed Steer (Achilles) remains ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea host Villa in a 5:30pm BST kick-off at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 1 April, live on Sky Sports in UK.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea are unbeaten in four of their last five league meetings against Aston Villa (W3, D1, L1).
- Aston Villa have claimed just one point from their last seven league visits to Chelsea (D1, L6).
- At least one player has scored twice in each of Chelsea’s last three league meetings against Villa – (Romelu Lukaku in September 2021, Jorginho in December 2021 & Mason Mount in October 2022)
- Five of Chelsea’s six goals in seven home matches in all competitions in 2023 were scored after half time.
- Ollie Watkins has scored in each of Villa’s last four league matches away from home (W2, D1, L1).
Prediction
Having avoided defeat in all competitions last month with three wins and one draw, Chelsea aren’t totally out of the running for an European qualification spot especially with players like Mendy, Mount and James set to be available.
Graham Potter’s Blues though will be disappointed to have drawn 2-2 against Everton last time out with two defensive errors in the second-half, having shown excellent control and attacking quality to twice take the lead so I do expect a response here.
Villa meanwhile are in similar form and were impressive in their 3-0 demolition of Bournemouth a fortnight ago, even though they were made to weather the Cherries’ defensive ability after taking an early lead before grabbing two late goals to consolidate victory.
Stamford Bridge and this fixture in general though doesn’t seem to favour Villa much but with both teams chasing potential European qualification, this game realistically is must-win because a draw won’t help their chances much.
I though do feel like a score draw could be on the cards if Villa’s defence is at its best alongside goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, yet they probably have to score first otherwise I can see Chelsea taking the win.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa
Result: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa
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