Prediction: Aston Villa vs Chelsea

Prediction: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: bet365

The Premier League returned to our screens earlier this week, and this weekend, another slate of games will take place as we continue to push on through the remainder of the campaign. The game we’re going to be taking a look at today will see Aston Villa host Chelsea, and it’s safe to say these two clubs have very different ambitions over the next few months. Villa are hoping to preserve their status as a top flight club, whereas Chelsea want to push for Champions League qualification.

Aston Villa

The game against Sheffield United may not have been the most entertaining, but any Villa fan will tell you that was a point gained given the circumstances surrounding the ‘ghost goal’. Now, after what was a pretty decent performance, Dean Smith needs to kick on and start enforcing one core belief in his squad: that they are good enough to stay in the Premier League. It isn’t going to be easy, but the talent and drive is there for them to survive.

Team News

Reina is tipped by many to return after Nyland’s error against the Blades, whereas Heaton, Wesley, Engels and Guilbert are all still out of action. Drinkwater is a doubt whereas Konsa should be fine to feature despite pulling up with cramp in the last game.

Chelsea

The race to finish in the top four, or potentially top five, is going to be an interesting one with Chelsea serving as the frontrunners alongside Leicester – with Liverpool and Manchester City way out in front. Frank Lampard has done a better job than anyone could’ve anticipated in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, and while many are already looking ahead to what they can produce in the 2020/21 campaign, there’s still a lot of football left to play before we get there.

Team News

Jorginho’s pre-lockdown suspension will still be in effect for this game, whereas Hudson-Odoi is out due to a lack of match fitness. James is a doubt with van Ginkel and Tomori also being sidelined through injury, but Abraham is expected to play a role against his former club.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting earlier this season, Chelsea beat Aston Villa 2-1.
• Aston Villa have drawn one and lost five of their last six games.
• Chelsea have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six games.
• Aston Villa have scored four goals and conceded 13 in their last six games.
• Chelsea have scored 10 goals and conceded eight in their last six games.

Conclusion

Villa may have a game under their belt already, but we don’t think that’s going to help them all too much here. If anything, there could be some tired legs out there in comparison to the Blues. We’re expecting Chelsea to get a foothold in the game pretty early on before eventually easing their way towards a comfortable win. It may not be the kind of spectacle we want to see from the Premier League’s return, but it is a game that’ll confirm what many already knew – Chelsea are building something special right now.

Prediction: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: bet365