Chelsea play hosts to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday with both teams set for a return to club football after the recent international break.
The Blues would be hoping to put out a solid display to mark their return to top flight action as Graham potter’s side remain 10th in the league table and face an uphill task in qualifying for the Champions League.
Potter’s men had a decent run of showings before heading into the break, having gone four games unbeaten, but a 2-2 draw against Everton did mean that Chelsea were put under pressure in their hopes of climbing up the standings.
Aston Villa’s four game unbeaten streak has sent out the message that the Midlands outfit have improved considerably since Unai Emery arrived in the dugout and took over from the embattled Steven Gerrard who was handed the sack by the Villa board.
As Villa look to go five league games without defeat for the first time since December 2020, Chelsea will be backed to provide a stern challenge to their upcoming opponents who boast of a great record on the road under Emery- earning 13 points out of a possible 18.
The Midlands outfit picked up 10 points from their last four Premier League matches and went into the break behind Chelsea on goal difference with Saturday’s visit to the Bridge making it all the more important for them.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Date – Saturday 1 April 2023
Time – 6 PM GMT
Venue –Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea would be fretting over the fitness of Reece James and Kai Havertz who were both forced out of international duty midway through the international break.
James, however, is expected to return to the squad with his withdrawal from the England fold thought to have been a precautionary step.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana, Armando Broja and Thiago Silva are all certainties to sit on the sidelines for the upcoming game.
Playmaker Mason Mount’s inclusion in the XI could be subject to a late call from the Chelsea medical team.
KEY BATTLE
Joao Felix vs Ollie Watkins
Felix has little time left on his contract with Chelsea to put out a run of stellar displays and convince the Blues board to spend big on making his transfer permanent come the summer.
The Atletico Madrid loanee has been impressive since arriving at the Bridge in the January window but would be keen to get back amongst the goals and prove to be the difference maker for his side against Villa.
Villa, meanwhile, have England forward Ollie Watkins as their go-to option to lead the line and create trouble for the Chelsea backline who will miss the veteran Thiago Silva.
MATCH PREDICTION
Chelsea should be expected to emerge on top with the home support cheering them on.
Chelsea 3-1 Aston Villa
