Chelsea are unbeaten in four visits to Villa Park, preserving that record by coming from 2-0 down to draw last season. Aston Villa have won only two of their last 13 home games against the Blues.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea Preview
This is a crucial clash in the race for Champions League qualification, with both clubs requiring three points to remain in the hunt. Of the two, it is Chelsea who kick off three places and four points better off, despite their recent run of miserable form.
Last time out, the Blues put in, almost indisputably, their most lacklustre performance of the season, swatted aside 3-0 by Brighton, not at all coming close to scoring on Valentine's Night.
This was not a one-off. Enzo Maresca's side had been dumped out of the FA Cup by the same opposition less than a week earlier, while Chelsea have also won only two of their last nine in the league, without a win in five on the road.
This has seen the Blues sink from title contention down to sixth place, and a third successive away Premier League defeat would be a hammer blow to their Champions League aspirations.
Along similar lines, victory for Aston Villa would propel them right back into contention, kicking off ninth, but a mere four points adrift Bournemouth, the current tenants of that all-important fifth spot. On Wednesday night, Unai Emery's team were involved in a generally rather thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Quick-fire goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins had the Villans in front at the break, only for the league leaders to hit back later on, with both sides squandering opportunities to win it.
While that is certainly a credible point, the Claret and Blue Army are now winless in five league fixtures, admittedly four of these have finished all square, but Villa will require victories if they're to secure back-to-back top four finishes in the top division for the first time since 1931. So, can the home side claim a vital victory to propel themselves back into Champions League contention?
Aston Villa vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 84.
- Aston Villa Wins: 60. Draws: 37. Chelsea Wins: 70.
Aston Villa Team News
Unai Emery is very short of defensive options, given that Pau Torres, as well as midfielders Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara are all sidelined, while January signing Axel Disasi is ineligible to face his parent club. In some much needed good news, there is optimism that Ezri Konsa will be fit to start, otherwise it'll have to be Lamare Bogarde at centre-back, while Matty Cash came off the bench on Wednesday, his first appearance since the win over Celtic on 29 January due to injury.
Further forward, both Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford started in claret and blue for the very first time against Liverpool, so will they keep their places, chosen over Donyell Malen and Jacob Ramsey?
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Asensio, Rashford; Watkins.
Aston Villa Player to Watch vs Chelsea
Ollie Watkins took his tally to 13 goals for the season in mid-week, while he's previously netted against Chelsea twice, both of which have been winners at Stamford Bridge, so can he lead his team to victory at Villa Park this time?
Chelsea Team News
The Blues are without Benoît Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Roméo Lavia, Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu and now Noni Madueke, who suffered a hamstring injury during the mauling at Brighton. So, in stark contrast to earlier this season, Enzo Maresca has limited options at his disposal, with Jadon Sancho likely to come in for Madueke out-wide, while Christopher Nkunku will continue to lead the line, despite two very underwhelming performances at the Amex.
Elsewhere, Reece James could return at right-back, displacing Malo Gusto, while Trevoh Chalobah is likely to once again get the nod over Tosin Adarabioyo in the middle. Lastly, in goal, despite a less than convincing display at Brighton, Filip Jörgensen is expected to be donning the gloves once again, having seemingly usurped Robert Sánchez in the pecking order.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Aston Villa: (4-2-3-1): Jörgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernández, Caicedo, Sancho, Palmer, Neto; Nkunku.
Chelsea Player to Watch vs Aston Villa
Cole Palmer cut a very frustrated figure at Brighton, but can he add to his 14 goals this season, having scored against Villa for the very first time during the Blues' 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in November?
Aston Villa vs Chelsea Prediction
This game is tough to call. Neither are in great form and it's Villa who have home advantage, although Chelsea have had over a week to prepare for this clash, while Emery's side were involved in a high-octane mid-week fixture. So, in truth, we're not sure, this could go either-way, but we're being bold and forecasting a narrow Villa victory: Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Aston Villa vs Chelsea Premier League game on TV channel?
Aston Villa vs Chelsea will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League & Ultra HD.
- USA: fuboTV, NBC, Telemundo & Deportes En Vivo
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network Canada
How to watch Aston Villa vs Chelsea Premier League game on live streaming?
Aston Villa vs Chelsea will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV.
- USA: fuboTV, nbcsports.com, USA Network, Telemundo & SiriusXM FC
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Aston Villa vs Chelsea in the Premier League?
Aston Villa vs Chelsea takes place on Saturday 22 February 2025, with kick off at 17:30 (GMT), 12:30 (EDT) & 9:30 (PST).