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With a third of the Premier League campaign now complete, Chelsea find themselves in third place, while Villa occupy eighth. A win for Chelsea would extend the gap between the two sides, reinforcing their position at the top end of the table. However, manager Enzo Maresca and his squad will not be solely motivated by the league position, but rather their continued improvement on the field.
Both teams were involved in European action midweek. Villa, despite drawing 1-1 at home to Juventus, remain well-placed to progress in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory over Heidenheim in the Conference League, keeping their perfect record intact in the group stage. The Blues have thrived following their European fixtures, with two wins and three draws after Conference League matches.
Villa, on the other hand, head to Stamford Bridge on a seven-match winless streak across all competitions. Their defense has been under pressure, conceding 12 goals and scoring just five in those games. Chelsea, by contrast, have been in good form, collecting eight points from their last four Premier League matches. Only two teams have gained more in the same period, and Chelsea currently sit as the third-highest scorers in the league.
However, Villa have a solid recent record at Stamford Bridge, having kept Chelsea at bay in their last three encounters, failing to score in each of those games. The Blues last defeated Villa at home in September 2021, but a win tomorrow would lift Chelsea to second in the Premier League for the first time since January 2022.
Maresca will be pleased with the performances of his squad members who stepped in during Thursday’s win against Heidenheim. Filip Jorgensen made a string of impressive saves, while the attacking trio of Jadon Sancho, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Christo Nkunku all found the net. Changes to the starting XI are expected, given the quick turnaround from Thursday's match, and several players, including Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto, have been training ahead of the game.
One notable player who will be keen to make an impact is Cole Palmer. The England international has created more open-play chances than any other Premier League player this season (28) and will be looking to score or assist against Villa for the first time, as they are one of just three Premier League clubs he has yet to do so against.
Villa’s high defensive line, exposed in their recent 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, may be a target for Chelsea. The Blues have been clinical on counter-attacks, registering the most shots from rapid breaks in the Premier League this season (16). Nicolas Jackson, who shares a good relationship with Villa manager Unai Emery from their time together at Villarreal, has been a key figure in Chelsea’s counter-attacking play. Of his seven Premier League goals this season, five have come as the opening goal.
Historically, Chelsea have had a strong record against Villa, with 69 wins to Villa’s 60 in all competitions. The first victory in this fixture came as far back as 1913, when Chelsea triumphed 2-1 at Villa Park. More recently, the Blues have enjoyed some memorable wins, including a 7-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in March 2010, a match that saw Frank Lampard score four times. And who could forget the 8-0 demolition of Villa in 2012, which remains Chelsea’s largest-ever league victory.
Despite their strong historical record, Chelsea will need to break their home scoring drought in the first and last 15 minutes of Premier League matches this season. Villa, meanwhile, have struggled defensively, with 19 goals conceded from 136 attempts, the third-worst record in the league. This presents an opportunity for Chelsea to exploit Villa’s vulnerabilities and secure a crucial three points.
Filip Jorgensen’s performance against Heidenheim, where he made 11 saves — the most by any Chelsea goalkeeper in the past two seasons — highlights the depth and quality in the squad. The young goalkeeper has kept four clean sheets in eight matches, and his form will be crucial in the coming weeks as Chelsea navigate a busy December schedule with nine fixtures in total.
As the Blues look to extend their unbeaten run at home, all eyes will be on Stamford Bridge tomorrow for what promises to be an exciting encounter against an Aston Villa side struggling for form but dangerous on their day. With Maresca’s side firing on all cylinders, Chelsea will hope to move one step closer to securing a top-four finish, as they continue their push for silverware this season.
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