Aston Villa travel down to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon hoping to get the better of a much-improved Chelsea side.
Three points for the London club and they go into second place in the Premier League table, but equally, a win for Aston Villa and they go level on points with Enzo Maresca’s side.
Aston Villa are going through a rut – seven games without a win – but, in the overall picture, Unai Emery has done a fantastic job so far.
One of the key reasons Villa reached the Champions League was, not just because of Emery’s coaching and the improvement of individual players.
But also the recruitment, from the free transfer of the underrated Youri Tielemans to the purchase of ball-playing centre-half, Pau Torres, have been game-changing.
For several years, Chelsea couldn’t say that, and in fact, there were screaming and shouting at how they had gone from this Champions League-winning side under Thomas Tuchel to almost unrecognisable years later.
Yes, in some cases a lot of young and experienced players were brought in, so time was needed and that is now coming to the fore because they are performing well.
Someone like Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson – who will be a huge threat to Villa on Sunday – are prime examples of that.
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But then there are signings Villa fans – at time the time – warned Chelsea about that just haven’t simply worked out and it’s proven that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Carney Chukwuemeka should never have left Aston Villa for Chelsea
At the time, then-18-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka was making huge strides in the colours of Aston Villa and there was excitement around the place regarding his talents.
Once dubbed ‘the best 16-year-old in the country’, Chukwuemeka was expected to go places and reach the top of English football.
But, with 12 months remaining on his Villa contract, he decided to secure a £20 million deal to Chelsea, even though Villa and then-manager Steven Gerrard wanted to keep him.
Villa fans had warned Chukwuemeka about moving because many felt that he was developing in a strong manner in B6, earning those minutes and was still at a very early age in his career.
But the cool and composed midfielder proceeded to secure the move during a time where Chelsea seemingly purchased the world of football and now he is stuck in his development.
Carney Chukwuemeka of Chelsea FC in action during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and Chels...
Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
Chukwuemeka vs Jhon Duran
Yes, the Chelsea fan might like to see more of Chukwuemeka because his talents demand it, but the fact of the matter is that he has only managed 63 minutes this term.
In the summer, there was talk of Jhon Duran leaving Villa for Chelsea, but the all-action striker did the right thing to stay on board and, surprise, surprise, it’s helping his development.
Duran has nine goals in 18 games in all competitions and is seen as one of the top young prospects in the Premier League.
Competition Apps Goals Minutes
Premier League Premier League 12 4
UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions League 5 2
EFL Cup EFL Cup 2 2
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