The Premier League returns to the fold with another set of matches this weekend as Chelsea lock horns with Unai Emery's Aston Villa side in an important encounter at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Both teams have good players in their ranks and will want to win this game.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa Preview
Aston Villa are currently in third place in the Premier League standings and have stepped up to the plate so far this season. The away side stunned Manchester United with a 2-1 victory last week and will be confident ahead of this fixture.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are in fourth place in the league table at the moment and have been fairly impressive this season. The Blues were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Newcastle United in their previous game and will need to take it up a notch this weekend.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
Chelsea have a good historical record against Aston Villa and have won 70 out of the 168 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Aston Villa's 61 victories.
Chelsea have won two of their last three matches in all competitions - as many victories as they had achieved in the five such games preceding this run.
Chelsea have conceded at least one goal in three of their last four matches in all competitions, with their only clean sheet during this period coming in a 2-0 victory against Everton in a Premier League match earlier this month.
Aston Villa have won each of their last 10 matches in all competitions, with their previous defeat coming by a 2-0 margin against Liverpool in a Premier League match last month.
Aston Villa have conceded at least one goal in each of their last five games in all competitions.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa Prediction
Chelsea have shown marked improvement under Enzo Maresca and will need to be at their best to win this game. Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro can be lethal on their day and will look to make their mark this weekend.
Aston Villa have been exceptional this season and will look to pull off another upset on Saturday. Both teams are evenly matched at the moment and could play out a draw in this fixture.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Aston Villa
Chelsea vs Aston Villa Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals - Yes
Tip 3: Chelsea to score first - Yes