Chelsea v Aston Villa preview
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has performed down comparisons between potential England’s potential quantity 10s on the 2026 World Cup, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, as his facet search to finish Aston Villa’s 10-match successful run in all competitions on Saturday.
A talismanic determine for the Blues, Palmer returned this month from a groin downside that has troubled the Three Lions common for a lot of the season and can now try and outshine Rogers, who has scored twice in every of Villa’s final two matches to assist them beat West Ham 3-2 away and Manchester United 2-1 at house.
“I like Cole and Cole is my participant,” mentioned Maresca, whose group begin instantly behind the third-placed Villans.
“They’re two implausible gamers. They’re going to be vital [on Saturday], for certain, however each want the opposite 10 gamers round them to help and assist them do the correct issues. It’s about Morgan, it’s about Cole – nevertheless it’s concerning the group.”
Rogers described his temper as “actually blissful, actually assured” after the victory over United final Sunday. “The group’s taking part in unbelievably nicely proper now and we really feel like we will beat each group,” he informed VillaTV.
“It’s a pleasant feeling to be in that dressing room in the mean time. I at all times wish to enhance from the season earlier than and hold getting higher.
“I had season final 12 months [14 goals and 15 assists] however possibly tailed away a bit on the finish. I didn’t need that to occur this 12 months… I’m glad I’m in second proper now.”
Villa begin the weekend some extent behind Chelsea and three shy of leaders Arsenal, each of whom have a major purpose superiority.
Chelsea v Aston Villa group information
Winger Estevao and ahead Liam Delap can be found for Chelsea after lacking the journey to Newcastle final Saturday.
Maresca is suspended after amassing his third reserving of the season throughout the 2-2 draw at St James’ Park.
Midfielders Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo stay sidelined by hamstring issues and centre-back Levi Colwill has a long-term knee damage.
Winger Mykhailo Mudryk has not performed since November 2024 after being suspended by the FA on account of an alleged antagonistic discovering in a drug take a look at.
Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez returned from a again downside in opposition to United and winger Jadon Sancho is out there once more, having been ineligible in opposition to his mum or dad membership.
Defenders Pau Torres (calf) and Tyrone Mings (hamstring) are out till January. Midfielder Ross Barkley is predicted to be absent till February with a knee situation.
Winger Harvey Elliott is prone to return from sickness. Evann Guessand is on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.
Chelsea v Aston Villa anticipated line-ups
Chelsea beginning XI: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Estevao, Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto
Aston Villa beginning XI: Emiliano Martinez, Matty Money, Ezri Konsa, Victor Lindelof, Ian Maatsen, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins
watch Chelsea v Villa: TV channel, dwell on-line stream
Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:30 GMT (12:30 ET / 09:30 PT), with dwell protection within the UK on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion, Sky Sports activities Premier League and Sky Sports activities Extremely.
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Chelsea v Aston Villa stats
- Solely Arsenal (3) and Manchester Metropolis and Bournemouth (each 6) have conceded fewer Premier League targets at house in 2025/26 than Chelsea (7)
- Six of their final eight house video games in all competitions have led to victory (D1 L1)
- Chelsea’s prime scorers within the league this season have netted 5 occasions every (Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro)
- After 17 video games of a Premier League marketing campaign, solely on three events have Chelsea’s prime scorers netted fewer at this stage – 4 in 2022/23, 3 in 2015/16 and 4 in 1995/96.
- Enzo Fernandez has created extra probabilities from open play (24) and made extra passes breaking the opponent’s defensive position (17) than every other Chelsea participant within the league this season
- Villa have received their final seven league video games, final having an extended run within the prime flight between October and December 1910 (9)
- They’ve received 12 of their 21 Premier League away video games in opposition to London sides beneath Unai Emery (D4 L5) – greater than that they had of their earlier 59 (W11 D10 L38)
- Solely Arsenal (1.89) and Crystal Palace (1.78) have averaged extra factors per away recreation on this season’s division than Villa (1.75)
- Rogers has been straight concerned in additional Premier League targets than every other English participant throughout the opening 17 matchdays this season (10 – 7 targets, 3 assists)
- He’s the primary Villan to attain two or extra targets in consecutive top-flight appearances since Dion Dublin in November 1998
