England Premier League
Saturday 1st April 2023
Kick off at 5:30pm BST
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Match Preview:
You get the feeling that Chelsea manager Graham Potter was happy to see the recent international break, he clearly needed a breather but he’s back at it again in an incredibly huge month. Chelsea will be playing in the Champions League when they take on holders Real Madrid in the quarter finals and Potter will be charged with trying to fix Chelsea’s league position which has been wanting so far this season.
Chelsea are in 10th place and who would have expected that at the beginning of the season? Excuses are running thin too given the quality of player at the club and the money spent in January however the owners have been supportive of Potter despite just 3 league wins in the past four months. The Blues have gone unbeaten in their last 3 games too with wins over Leeds and Leicester but their last game which ended in a 2-2 draw against Everton felt like they had taken a step back. Chelsea looked to be in control and they ended up dropping two points against an Everton side who have struggled and been very poor away from home. The Blues will be looking to move into 9th place but currently there is a 4 point gap between 10th and 8th and a top four place now looks well and truly over.
Aston Villa in 11th have the same points as Chelsea so this will be a match with added spice and under Unai Emery the club have really pushed on. They have encouraging form too and are unbeaten in their last four games and have recently beaten Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Everton. Once in relegation problems Emery has changed the fortunes for the club so much that they could well finish in the top half of the table. Recent away form has been good with just one defeat from their last five and that includes upsetting Tottenham and drawing 1-1 with West Ham.
Team News:
Chelsea: Reece James will be assessed with a knee injury, Cesar Azpilicutea remains out with a head injury. Wesley Fofana is only 50/50 to return following his hamstring, Edouard Mendy has recovered from injury after a lenghly spell out but has a lack of match fitness and will need to be assessed. Raheem Sterling is 50/50 to make this game due to his hamstring and Thiago Silva is ruled out with his knee but could return in two weeks.
Aston Villa: Matthew Cash is missing due to his calf injury and could miss the next 3 weeks. Phillipe Coutinho looks set to miss out again due to his hamstring. Boubacar Kamara has a lack of match fitness but could be included in the travelling squad.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa Head to Head:
Chelsea have won the last 4 meetings in a row, although one was an EFL Cup game that was won on penalties.
From the last 8 meetings 6 have seen both teams to score.
Aston Villa have not beaten Chelsea away from home since 2011.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa Prediction:
If you shop around you can get Chelsea at 1.70 for the win although the most common price is 1.62. Chelsea are decent odds of course because of their indifferent form this season and that hasn’t improved under Graham Potter, there have been small moments of hope but the club have simply not shown the consistency that a side of their quality should be showing.
Aston Villa are a good test for Chelsea and they will come here relaxed and with no fear but we are just waiting for this talented Chelsea team to click. In truth it may never happen or at least it may not under Potter but they are at home and they have a terrific record over Villa here, so we will be backing the Blues to get the win here. We need to see more from the so called stars of this team but because they have been under par the value on their getting on the score sheet is great and we will take on a couple here. Villa are a difficult customer but at the end of the day Chelsea need to be putting these games to bed and put in a professional performance and that is the final question, will we finally see that on Saturday?
Chelsea vs Aston Villa Betting Tips:
Chelsea to beat Aston Villa at 1.70
Anytime goalscorer: Joao Felix at 2.50
Anytime goalscorer: Enzo Fernandez at 7.00
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