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Chelsea host Aston Villa in Saturday’s late kick off with Graham Potter’s side in desperate need of points. The Blues come into the match sitting 10th in the table but can move closer towards the Champions League places with a victory this evening.
They are unbeaten in three league games with wins against Leeds and Leicester bringing a feeling of improvement to Stamford Bridge before a late goal saw them settle for point in a 2-2 draw with Everton just before the international break.
Aston Villa meanwhile will know that a victory would propel them above Chelsea in the table and take them past 40 points – the historic target to ensure relegation is avoided.
Unai Emery has rejuvenated the midlands side who now look a dangerous and difficult side to beat. Last time out Villa despatched Bournemouth 3-0 and they’ll be looking to impress against their rivals in the table.
Follow live coverage as Chelsea face Aston Villa in the Premier League today:
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
SAVED!!! Fernandez’s wide pass gives Loftus-Cheek the space to find Havertz in the box, and his early effort takes a deflection on its way to being parried wide by a stretching Martinez!
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Loftus-Cheek cuts inside from the right before playing in Havertz down the same side, but his cut-back into the area is headed clear by Kamara.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Villa are unbeaten in their last four Premier League game, keeping a clean sheet in each of their three wins. They last went five without defeat in the competition in December 2020, with the last game in that sequence coming at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
CHANCE!! After Koulibaly cuts out Moreno’s throughball to Buendia, Chelsea head up the other end on the counter and Loftus-Cheek charges up the right flank. He hangs a cross to the back post with Chilwell arriving, but the wing-back’s sliding strike sends the ball a long way wide of the post!
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Felix is in space on the edge of the area and his shot is blocked via the back of Konsa, but Mudryk and Chilwell can’t make anything of the ball bouncing their way.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa have scored in 15 consecutive Premier League matches since appointing Unai Emery, their longest such run since scoring in 17 straight games between August and December 2009.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
WIDE!!! A Chelsea corner is half-cleared, but James’ low drive goalwards sparks mayhem in the box. Deflections aplenty insue and Havertz has an effort blocked, before the ball skews out for Felix to lash it wide!
