Chelsea welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge this evening in a match that could prove pivotal to the Premier League title race.
Enzo Maresca’s side positioned themselves as title contenders following their 1-1 draw with Arsenal a month ago, but they’ve won just one of their four games since and begin the day 10 points behind the league leaders.
Thankfully for the Blues, Liam Delap and Estevao should be back in the squad after recovering from injury, while Cole Palmer is said to be fit enough to play the full 90 minutes.
And he most likely will be required to do that, as Villa have won 16 of their last 18 games across all competitions and sit third in the table, just three points off the Gunners.
Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage
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December 27, 2025 4:20 pm
Confirmed Aston Villa starting XI
Callum McAvoy
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Buendia, Rogers, Malen
Subs: Bizot, Digne, Garcia, Bogarde, Hemmings, Onana, Sancho, Watkins, Jimoh-Aloba
December 27, 2025 4:19 pm
Confirmed Chelsea starting XI
Callum McAvoy
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Pedro
Subs: Jorgensen, Gusto, Acheampong, Tosin, Fofana, Santos, Estevao, Gittens, Delap
December 27, 2025 4:07 pm
Chelsea vs Aston Villa TV channel
Callum McAvoy
Wrexham v Cardiff City - Carabao Cup Fourth Round
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
You can watch Chelsea vs Aston Villa live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.
But why do that when you can follow all the action right here on our dedicated LIVE blog!
December 27, 2025 4:00 pm
Chelsea vs Aston Villa kick-off time
Callum McAvoy
Chelsea v Aston Villa - Premier League
(Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
Today’s match at Stamford Bridge will kick-off at 5.30pm UK time.
It is the final of seven Premier League games on Saturday, with Manchester City beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 in the early kick-off.
The five 3pm games are at half-time, with league leaders Arsenal currently leading Brighton 1-0.
December 27, 2025 4:00 pm
Callum McAvoy
Newcastle United v Chelsea - Premier League
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Good afternoon and welcome to the Metro’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Aston Villa.
We hope you had a very Merry Christmas and are ready for some festive footie fun.
The all-important team news is on the way…
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