Chelsea v Aston Villa preview: Blues face tricky home challenge
Threatening to further hinder their progress, the injury-ravaged Blues could now be without as many as five regular starters for the visit of Aston Villa, a side Chelsea have beaten in nine of the last 11 Premier League (PL) H2Hs (D1, L1).
Chelsea would dearly love to extend that run with another victory, but having won just three of their last nine PL home games (D3, L3), Stamford Bridge isn’t the impenetrable fortress it once was.
It certainly isn’t the premier spot if entertainment is what fans are after either, with Stamford Bridge producing the fewest total goals (26) of any PL ground this season.
Aston Villa’s form across their last four games mirrors that of Chelsea’s (W3, D1), and they’re similarly tough to separate in the league table too, with both sides locked on 38 points.
One has to go back to 1995/96 for the last time Aston Villa ended a PL season above Chelsea in the table and considering they’ve lost on six of their last seven PL visits to Stamford Bridge, they may be playing catch-up again come the close of play on Saturday.
Historical travelling deficiencies ought not to put Villa off as they’ve been rejuvenated on the road of late by winning four of their last six away league games (D1, L1).
Only high-flying Manchester City managed to beat Villa in that time, and despite boss Unai Emery’s wretched managerial record against Chelsea (W1, D1, L4), his side should travel to London confident after going unbeaten in their last two PL trips to the capital after losing the three prior.
Players to watch: With several big-hitters potentially out, added emphasis perhaps falls on João Félix who has seen both his Chelsea goals serve as game openers.
Bidding to re-write the record books, Ollie Watkins could become the first Villa player ever to score in five successive PL away games if he finds the net here.
Hot stat: Stamford Bridge is the only ground not to have seen a goal scored in the opening 15 minutes of a PL game this season.
