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Chelsea vs Aston Villa odds and betting statistics
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Chelsea vs Aston Villa match preview
Chelsea’s very underwhelming start to the season continues.
Last Sunday, the Blues were, somehow, held to a goalless draw by Bournemouth at Dean Court, despite actually ending the afternoon with an xG figure of 1.81.
Nevertheless, this means Mauricio Pochettino’s first five matches have yielded a measly five points, their sole victory coming over bottom of the table Luton Town.
Dating all the way back to a victory at Villa Park on 16 October, it’s actually just six wins from 34 Premier League outings for the Blues, which is actually two less than Bournemouth.
Here, Aston Villa are aiming to win successive visits to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1960 although, unlike their hosts, the Villans were involved in European action this week.
However, their Europa Conference League opener did not go to plan for Unai Emery’s team, beaten 3-2 by Legia Warszawa at Stadion Wojska Polskiego.
Back in the Premier League, the Claret and Blue Army have enjoyed wins over Everton, Burnley and most-recently Crystal Palace, the latter secured in very dramatic circumstances.
Douglas Luiz’s penalty fired them in-front, this coming in the 98th minute, before Leon Bailey found the time to secure the victory in the 11th minute of added on time.
However, Emery’s team have lost both tough away matches they’ve played this season, battered at both St James’ and Anfield, so this’ll be a good litmus test as Villa aspire to compete with the league’s big boys.
Who will claim a much-needed victory at Stamford Bridge?
Chelsea team news
Benoît Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Moisés Caicedo, Roméo Lavia, Carney Chukwuemeka, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke and Armando Broja are all out injured.
Ben Chilwell had been playing as an out-and-out left-winger, before Mykhailo Mudryk was given the nod last Sunday, but his wait for a first Chelsea goal goes on.
Given that, Cole Palmer, who’s come off the bench in both of their last two games, will be hoping to start this time.
Nicolas Jackson has already been booked four times this season, the joint-most of any player, so he would miss Chelsea’s next game, a Monday night trip to Fulham, if cautioned.
Predicted XI (4-43-3): Sánchez; Gusto, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill; Ugochukwu, Gallagher, Fernández; Sterling, Palmer, Jackson.
Aston Villa team news
Unai Emery made five changes for Thursday’s trip to Poland, which clearly back-fired, given that they were beaten.
Emi Martínez, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne, Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Nicolò Zaniolo the players who started both of Villa’s matches this week.
Jhon Durán scored against both Crystal Palace and Legia Warsaw, but Ollie Watkins will lead the line from the start.
In midfield, Jacob Ramsey made his first appearance of the season on Thursday, following injury, and his return is a major boost.
Predicted XI: (4-3-3): Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Douglas Luiz, Kamara, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins, Zaniolo.
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