Chelsea make the travels to the Midlands on Sunday with Thomas Tuchel’s side seeking a return to winning ways in league action when they take on Aston Villa.
A depleted Blues outfit managed to edge past the league’s new boys Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night with an inspired showing from Tuchel’s men in the dying stages securing them the last-four berth in the competition.
The Boxing Day clash away at Aston Villa, however, will pose a tough challenge for an under-fire Chelsea that has been held to two stalemates on the run and now trail the leaders Manchester City by six points.
Aston Villa have reocorded a commendable 12 points from six fixtures since Anfield icon Steven Gerrard took charge with defeats for the new gaffer coming against the big-name likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.
Gerrard will hope for his players to put out a solid display on all fronts when welcoming Chelsea come Sunday in a game which either side will look to claim the three points from and move up their respective ends in the league table.
Defensive displays have been a positive sign for Chelsea in recent weeks but the peformences in the final third has been unsatisfactory with Tuchel’s makeshift options in the attacking lineup failing to hit the ground running.
COVID-19 concerns are on the rise at Stamford Bridge and with Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi sidelined, the Blues will be backed to secure a much-needed win on the road this weekend.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Sunday 26 December
Time: 3 PM GMT
Venue: Villa Park
TEAM NEWS
Hakim Ziyech is a concern on the injury front with a calf issue which adds to Thomas Tuchel’s worry of lacking quality options up top on the pitch.
Midfield man Ruben Loftus-Cheek and wide player Kai Havertz are not expected to feature in the upcoming game owing to coronavirus.
Trevoh Chalobah looks likely to retain his starting berth in the heart of the Chelsea defence with Andreas Christensen nursing a serious injury.
KEY BATTLE
Ollie Watkins VS N’Golo Kante
Watkins has been in top form as of late for Steven Gerrard’s high-flying Aston Villa side but the English striker will hope to emulate his last season’s prolific self in front of the goal and pose a danger for the visiting Blues.
N’Golo Kante’s return to the team sheet has come as a major respite for the injury-hit Chelsea and the French midfield maestro remains a crucial component in anchoring the midfield which will be key to a potential win for his side over the weekend.
MATCH PREDICTION
Sunday’s game at Villa Park could be an evenly-contesed affair between the two sides and we expect Chelsea to be in for another draw on the trot.
Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
