Chelsea vs Aston Villa

Stamford Bridge sets the stage for a handsomely-looking Premier League encounter between in-form Chelsea and out-of-sorts Aston Villa. 

Chelsea strolled to yet another multi-goal margin win in their faultless UEFA Europa Conference League campaign (W4), dispatching continental debutants Heidenheim 2-0 on the road during midweek. Fresh off a dramatic 2-1 Premier League triumph at Leicester City, Enzo Maresca’s charges extended their unbeaten streak in all competitions to five matches (W3, D2), setting themselves up nicely for this contest. However, there’s no room for complacency, with only nine of Chelsea’s 22 Premier League points this season arriving at Stamford Bridge (41%), accounting for the lowest ratio across the division ahead of the round. Worryingly for Maresca, his porous backline has conceded in all six home league outings this season, contributing to Chelsea’s lengthiest wait for a home league clean sheet to start a campaign since 1978/79!

On the other hand, Aston Villa saw what would’ve been a late winner disallowed for a controversial foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio in a tepid 0-0 home draw in midweek UEFA Champions League action, stretching their underwhelming winless run in all competitions to seven games (D3, L4). As if that’s not concerning enough, Unai Emery’s charges have lost their last three away matches via an aggregate score of 7-1, drawing a blank in the most recent two. Villa’s travel sickness casts doubt on their hopes of making it three consecutive away top-flight wins against Chelsea for the first time in the Premier League era after winning their last two league visits to the Bridge without conceding.