At A Glance
Aston Villa face Chelsea for the fourth time this season when they come up against each other on Saturday.
Unai Emery’s side claimed a 1-0 triumph in September's reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, Ollie Watkins netting his first Premier League goal of the campaign, before Chelsea emerged victorious in an FA Cup fourth-round replay following a goalless draw in the initial meeting.
Villa, who are unbeaten in five matches on home soil in all competitions, head into this weekend looking to record a third successive league victory following wins over Arsenal and AFC Bournemouth - as well as a third consecutive league win over Chelsea.
Chelsea will be looking to bounce back after a 5-0 defeat at Arsenal in midweek, ending an eight-match unbeaten run in the league, which also followed last weekend's FA Cup semi-final reverse to Manchester City.
The west London club recorded an emphatic 6-0 victory over Everton prior to their Wembley reverse, and have W2 D2 L2 in their last six matches in all competitions.
Mauricio Pochettino's ninth-placed side are winless in the last five on their travels, although they have won five of the last six league meetings at Villa Park.
Standout Stats
The Villans are aiming for a third consecutive league win over Chelsea.
The teams have already met three times in 2023/24, with Villa winning in the league and Chelsea winning in the FA Cup after a replay.
Villa are looking to complete a first league double over Chelsea since 1989/90.
Villa's only defeat in their last six league matches came at Manchester City (W3, D2).
Unai Emery’s charges are unbeaten in five home games in all competitions, with four wins and a draw.
Villa could potentially register 21 top-flight wins in a season for the first time since 1992/93.
Ollie Watkins has scored in his last two Premier League games against Chelsea. He needs one top-flight goal to become the first Villa player to reach 20 in a season since Peter Withe in 1980/81.
Morgan Rogers has scored two goals and provided an assist in his last four Premier League appearances.
Chelsea's eight-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end with a 5-0 defeat at Arsenal on Tuesday.
The Blues' last seven league fixtures have produced an average of five goals per game.
Mauricio Pochettino's side have already conceded a club-record 57 goals in the Premier League this season.
They have named seven starting XIs with an average age under 24 this season - only Leeds United, in 1999/2000, have named more in a single campaign.
Chelsea have won just one of their last eight Premier League matches outside of London (D2, L5) - that was at Luton Town in December.
The Last Meeting
Aston Villa bowed out of the FA Cup following a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in their fourth-round replay at Villa Park.
The Villans, who were bidding to reach the fifth round for the first time since 2014/15, fell behind to Conor Gallagher’s 11th-minute strike before Nicolas Jackson headed a quick second for the visitors.
Villa searched for a route back into the tie, Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn all testing Djordje Petrovic.
But Enzo Fernandez’s 30-yard free-kick early in the second half added a third for Chelsea, before substitute Moussa Diaby grabbed an injury-time consolation for the hosts.
Team News
Villa are boosted by the return of Douglas Luiz after completing his two-match suspension.
But boss Unai Emery remains without Zicolò Zaniolo and Álex Moreno, as well as Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendía, Jacob Ramsey and Boubacar Kamara.
Chelsea welcome back Cole Palmer for the encounter, however they look set to be missing Reece James, Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Carney Chukwuemeka and Raheem Sterling.
The Boss
“My expectation of them is, when I analyse and watch Chelsea 6-0 Everton. It was two weeks ago, with the same players they are going to play against us. It’s amazing. Of course, they lost the last match away against Arsenal but I can understand because Arsenal is very difficult. Even Chelsea was playing well until the second or third goal and they were always in with the possibility of getting something against them. If I can analyse and speak with the players, the match they played against Manchester City last week in the semi-final of the FA Cup, as well they played amazing. They were really deserving to win. This is the Chelsea I expect against us.”
Unai Emery
