Chelsea have the chance to gain ground on the team ahead of them in the Premier League when they host Aston Villa after Christmas.
When Aston Villa come to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, it will be Chelsea’s biggest test since facing Arsenal last month.
This time around, they will be hoping for a better points return.
Enzo Maresca won’t be on the sideline against Villa after a booking against Newcastle — not great timing from the Italian. This game is of vital importance to Chelsea, for a couple of reasons.
Chelsea’s previous five meetings against Aston Villa
Can you name Chelsea's last goalscorer vs the Villans? 🤔
Chelsea's previous five results vs Aston Villa
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Why Chelsea vs Aston Villa is a massive Premier League fixture
A battle at this end of the table is always going to be significant, but there are ramifications to this tie that could carry through to the season’s end.
Villa are on a ten-game run of wins in all competitions that has propelled them to third in the table, seven points clear of the Blues.
That form is staggering, and Chelsea have an opportunity to snap that streak. Doing so would not only close the gap, but also slow down that momentum.
The two sides look set to contend for Champions League places at least, and stopping Villa’s winning run could make all the difference at the end of May.
Additionally, Chelsea are ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, but dropping points could see them fall below the Reds and give them belief in their ability to push on after a massive dip.
Chelsea fell off around the turn of the year last season, and this feels like the game that is most significant to the outcome of their Premier League campaign since then. At this moment, Villa are the rival Chelsea have to catch. That would be made a lot easier by picking up three points this weekend.
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers clashing
It’s also an important game for Cole Palmer.
He will be going up against the player currently looking most likely to rival Palmer for a starting role under Thomas Tuchel.
The German coach has been using Morgan Rogers regularly for England, and he is arguably the most in-form player in the league.
Two of England’s brightest young stars going head-to-head 🙌
Thoughts on Morgan Rogers this season?
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer during Chelsea vs Aston Villa
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Chelsea fans are annoyed about missing out on Rogers, with the Villa star set to remain at Villa Park despite plenty of transfer links to join Maresca’s side.
The back line will have their hands full with a player who it seems can do no wrong at the moment, and it will be a chance for Palmer to reassert himself as the main man.
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