Chelsea hosts red-hot Aston Villa in top-of-the-table battle.
Chelsea vs. Aston Villa begins at 17:30 [GMT] on Sunday, December 27, at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea welcomes an in-form Aston Villa side to Stamford Bridge with the momentum, history, and psychology of the fixture intriguingly split. Recent meetings suggest this is no longer the comfortable home assignment Chelsea once enjoyed. The Blues have lost two of their last three Premier League home games against Villa, a sharp contrast to the long spell between 1998 and 2021 when they scored in 21 straight home league matches against the Midlands club. While Chelsea did win this exact fixture 3-0 in December last season, that result now feels more like an exception than a trend. Chelsea’s season, by contrast, remains uneven. Enzo Maresca’s side have already lost twice at Stamford Bridge this campaign, and a defeat here would see them surpass last season’s total of home league losses. Goals have also been an issue. Chelsea’s joint top scorers in the league, Pedro Neto and João Pedro, have just five goals each, placing this campaign among the club’s lowest attacking returns at this stage of a Premier League season. That said, Chelsea has shown a habit of rising to the level of stronger opponents. They remain unbeaten in league matches against sides who started the day above them, recording wins over Liverpool and Tottenham and a draw with Arsenal. That resilience could prove crucial against a high-flying Villa in this top-of-the-table battle between 3rd and 4th. A 4—2—3—1 formation with João Pedro in attack is expected against Villa.
Third-placed Aston Villa arrive in west London riding a remarkable wave, with only three points keeping them adrift of table-topping Arsenal, who have 39 points. Unai Emery’s side has won 10 consecutive matches in all competitions and is just one victory away from equalling the club’s all-time record of 11 straight wins, a feat last achieved over a century ago. In league terms, Villa [WWWWW] have won their last seven Premier League matches, their best top-flight run since 1910, and they have been especially effective away to London clubs under Emery. Twelve away league wins in the capital since his appointment highlight a team comfortable in hostile territory. Emery has also enjoyed notable success specifically against Chelsea. Villa have won three of their five league meetings with the Blues during his tenure, matching the number of victories they managed in the previous 20 encounters combined. That speaks volumes about the tactical clarity and belief ahead of Saturday’s clash. Ollie Watkins could lead Villa’s attack once again when they appear with the familiar 4—2—3—1 formation.