Prediction: Aston Villa vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Knowing that they hold their fate firmly in their own hands, Chelsea will make the trip to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon when fans make their return in the Midlands.

Aston Villa

Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa may have shown some issues during the second-half of the campaign, Dean Smith’s side will be boosted by an eye-catching turnaround victory in midweek. Making the trip to North London on Wednesday evening, the former Brentford boss saw his side land a deserved 2-1 victory away at Tottenham and also caused a major dent in Spurs’ top-six ambitions. Putting on a real clinic in the final third and welcoming back skipper Jack Grealish to their starting XI earlier in the week, Villa could have easily left with more goals to show for their efforts. Now looking to end the 2020/21 campaign with a real flurry, despite it being confirmed they can not break into the top-half of the table on the final weekend, Sunday’s hosts should also be glad to welcome a select number of fans back to Villa Park. However, landing just their second Premier League victory in their last eight attempts earlier in the week, it should be noted that Smith’s squad have recorded just a single victory on home soil since the start of February, with that single victory coming against a relegated Fulham.

Team News

Aston Villa look set to be without the injured trio of Matty Cash, Trézéguet and Morgan Sanson for their finale at Villa Park this weekend.

Featuring for 70 minutes against Spurs earlier in the week, skipper Jack Grealish will once again lead the team out on Sunday afternoon.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, while Chelsea might have been left heartbroken to have seen Leicester lift the FA Cup at Wembley last weekend, The Blues managed to make an immediate return to winning ways earlier in the week. Knowing they faced a must-win showdown when The Foxes came to West London on Tuesday night, Thomas Tuchel’s side landed a 2-1 victory on home soil and they now find their destiny firmly in their own hands. Climbing up to third in the table and knowing that three points at Villa Park this weekend will be enough to clinch them a top-four finish, the West London outfit have largely impressed since the former PSG boss took charge back in January. With a Champions League Final showdown against Manchester City out in Portugal fast approaching, Chelsea have also largely caught the eye with their continued Premier League success on the road. Including that 2-1 victory at The Etihad earlier in the month, Sunday’s guests have collected 20 points from their last eight top-flight away fixtures.

Team News

Limping off against his former club Leicester earlier in the week, midfield talisman N’Golo Kanté will miss out with a hamstring issue on Sunday afternoon.

Likewise, German forward Kai Havertz also remains a real doubt at Villa Park this weekend and looks set to miss out.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off in the reverse fixture back in December, Chelsea and Aston Villa played out a 1-1 draw in West London.
• However, Aston Villa have not beaten Sunday’s guests since 2014.
• Chelsea have collected 20 points from their last eight Premier League matchups on the road.
• Dean Smith’s side have managed to win just one of their last eight Premier League fixtures at Villa Park.
• Five of the last seven meetings between Villa and Chelsea have seen over 2.5 goals by the final whistle.

Conclusion

Managing to put their FA Cup heartbreak behind them with that 2-1 win against Leicester on Tuesday night, Chelsea know that they have a golden chance to finish off the job on their travels. Still boosted by that stunning last-gasp winner away at Manchester City last time out away from Stamford Bridge, The Blues will be looking to gain some perfect momentum heading into next week’s Champions League Final. While Aston Villa might have impressed with that 2-1 win away at Tottenham in midweek, Sunday’s hosts should face a stern test on home soil this weekend. Gaining a reputation for their extended rut on home soil and with just a single win at Villa Park in their last eight attempts, it should also be noted that Chelsea have won their last three straight trips to the Midlands.

Verdict: Chelsea win & Both teams to score 

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet