Aston Villa’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Wednesday night marked their fourth draw in the last five Premier League matches, with one loss mixed in.
Loanees Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford made their first starts for Villa, but despite their involvement, the team’s winless run continued. This sequence is now their longest in the top flight since December, when they suffered a 3-0 loss to Chelsea. Despite this slump, Villa remain hopeful of securing a European spot next season, trailing their visitors by just four points.
A victory in this match would bring Villa closer to their European aspirations as they start the round in the top half of the table. Villa’s home form has been strong, with only one loss at Villa Park in the league this season, backed by six wins and seven draws. What’s even more impressive is their record in Saturday Premier League home games, where they’ve lost just one of their last 22 matches, winning 16 and drawing five. This home strength could be key to ending their winless run and putting them in a good position for European qualification.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency lately, with only two wins in their last nine league outings. Their most recent performance, a 3-0 defeat to Brighton, was particularly demoralizing, as they failed to register a single shot on target. However, this match could provide the perfect opportunity for Chelsea to bounce back. Historically, Chelsea have a strong record against Aston Villa, winning 13 of their previous Premier League encounters. Only Tottenham and Southampton have more wins against Villa in the competition’s history.
When it comes to Villa Park, Chelsea have been especially dominant, remaining unbeaten in their last four visits. They have secured three victories, each by a two-goal margin, and a draw. In order to repeat this success, Chelsea will need to overcome their current struggles away from home. Their recent away form has been poor, failing to win in their last five league matches on the road, with two draws and three losses. Additionally, they’ve failed to score in three of those games, highlighting their difficulties in front of goal.
Despite their struggles, Chelsea have historically found success at Villa Park, regularly scoring two or more goals in their last eight visits. This will be something they’ll aim to replicate against Villa, who have been vulnerable defensively at times. With Villa eager to bounce back from their own winless streak, Chelsea will be looking to capitalize on their strong historical record at Villa Park. The Blues will need to rediscover their attacking form if they’re to challenge Villa and make a statement on the road.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins will be a key player to watch. He scored against Liverpool in midweek, his third goal in his last four appearances. Notably, 11 of his 12 goals this season have come in matches where both teams have scored. This could be an indication of Villa’s attacking approach and Watkins’ ability to deliver in high-scoring games. He will be a key threat for Chelsea’s defense, especially if Villa look to push forward early on in the match.
For Chelsea, Pedro Neto could be the man to provide the spark, even though he has yet to score away from home for his new club. All four of his goals this season have come in the second half, showing his ability to be a game-changer late in matches. As Chelsea look to shake off their recent slump, Neto’s contributions will be vital in breaking down Villa’s defense and potentially securing a positive result on the road.
Ahead of the match, Chelsea’s away form has shown they can be dangerous early in games. They have scored the most Premier League away goals before the 15th minute this season, with six such goals to their name. This early advantage could play a crucial role in setting the tone of the game. Villa will need to be alert from the start, ensuring they don’t fall behind early against a Chelsea team that has shown they can capitalize on opportunities in the opening minutes.
Overall, this clash between Aston Villa and Chelsea is shaping up to be an exciting one, with both teams desperate for a positive result. Villa’s strong home form gives them hope, while Chelsea will be looking to regain their confidence and end their away woes. With key players like Watkins and Neto ready to make an impact, this match promises to be full of action, and the outcome could have significant implications for both teams’ ambitions.
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