**Date:** Sunday 1st December 2024
**Venue**: Stamford Bridge
**Kick-off:** 13:30 GMT
After a less that easy 2-0 win in the Conference League against Heidenheim Thursday night, today’s early game sees us face Aston Villa who drew 1-1 with Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday.
We beat Leicester City last weekend and sat second in the table but after yesterday’s games, come into the lunchtime fixture 5th in the table. Villa, who drew with Palace in their last League game, are 9th but with only 3 points less than us.
Whilst the visitors arrive on a 7-game run without a win, Chelsea have the lowest win percentage at home so far this season, with just 9 points from 22 at Stamford Bridge, so the Villains will know they are by no means visiting a fortress today.
There’ll be the usual wholesale changes for us today from the side that played on Thursday, but whoever comes in will need to be alert to Ollie Watkins, who enjoys a goal at Stamford Bridge, whilst our attacking players need to take full advantage of the leak Villa appear to have recently developed in their defence if we want to stop them making it 4 games unbeaten at Stamford Bridge.
.
**MANAGER’S VIEWS**
Going into today’s game, Enzo Maresca says “_I see Aston Villa as a very good team. In the last two or three years, especially with their new manager \[Unai Emery\] and sporting director. They played Juventus; they’re playing Champions League already. For sure, they are there and want to be there. I still think City will be there. Arsenal, for sure, will be there. Liverpool will be there. There are not many spots. We are going to try and compete every game and then we will see where we are._
_I said many times; for sure, in terms of results and the way we want to play, we are above my expectation, no doubt. But the good thing is we are there, and we will try and be there as much as we can. We can help things and improve players.”_
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says _“He (Maresca) did a fantastic job last year at Leicester and the opportunity he has now, he has been very good as well. Of course, Chelsea is Chelsea, with the players they have and the club it is. The coaches and the manager at the beginning have done very well in different competitions. They are in the table, progressively getting better. They have three points in advantage of us. We started better than them, but now, Sunday is a very important match, how we can be closer to them.”_
**SQUAD NEWS**
For Chelsea, captain Reece James (hamstring) remains out. Pedro Neto picked up a knock on international duty but is expected to be available
For Aston Villa, Jacob Ramsey remains out, but Amadou Onana (foot) could be involved. Boubacar Kamara returned in midweek and Ezri Konsa is also expected to play.
**TEAMS**
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
ASTON VILLA (Possible line-up): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, McGinn, Rogers; Watkins
**LAST SEASON**
Chelsea 0-1 Aston Villa (24th September 2023)
**CURRENT FORM (PL)**
CHELSEA: DLWDDW
ASTON VILLA: DWDLLD
**OTHER STUFF**
* Aston Villa have beaten Chelsea in the last 2 meetings at Stamford Bridge.
* Chelsea haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last six home games.
* Villa are without a win in seven games in all competitions.
* Chelsea have the lowest percentage of home wins so far this season (41%).
* Villa lost all three competitive away games in November.
**PREDICTION**
[Sportsmole:](Preview: Chelsea vs. Aston Villa - prediction, team news, lineups - Sports Mole) Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa