MY ACCOUNT
– Chelsea have failed to win four of their last six home league games, losing twice
– Aston Villa have won four and drawn one of their last six away league games
– Recommended Bet: Back Tie or Aston Villa
Aston Villa look to be on the rise under Unai Emery and appear to be good value to pick up at least a point from their trip to Chelsea on Saturday.
Chelsea go into the game level in the table with a Villa side they finished 29 points clear of last season.
Both clubs changed managers earlier this season but, while Villa have risen from 16th to 11th under Unai Emery, Chelsea have yet to really take off with Graham Potter.
The Blues boss saw a three-game win streak ended by a dogged Everton side just prior to the international break and will be aware that Villa can be even more dangerous on the road.
Emery’s men have won four of their six Premier League away games since the Spaniard took over and earned a 3-0 home win over Bournemouth in their last fixture.
Team news
Potter could be forced into a couple of changes with Reece James struggling with a hamstring issue and Wesley Fofana withdrawn from the Everton game because of muscle fatigue.
Mason Mount has been hampered by a lower abdomen problem since Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham in February, while Raheem Sterling has struggled with a hamstring problem that has kept him out since the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in early March.
Kai Havertz returned early from international duty due to illness, but should be fine to start in attack while N’Golo Kante will be hoping to return to first-team action after making the bench against Everton last time out.
Thiago Silva remains on the long-term injury list.
Villa have almost a fully-fit squad to take to Stamford Bridge after Philippe Coutinho, who missed the win over Bournemouth, returned to training.
Fellow Brazilian Diego Carlos played 67 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Bodymoor Heath as he steps up his comeback from an Achilles injury, while midfielder Leander Dendoncker, who has missed the last three matches with a serious hand injury, also saw action in the game.
Boubacar Kamara could be in line to return from an ankle injury he sustained in Villa’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace three weeks ago.
The stats
Ollie Watkins can become the first Villa player in the Premier League era to score in five consecutive away games for the club.
Chelsea’s 2-2 stalemate with Everton means they have now drawn 11 of their last 27 league games at Stamford Bridge and four of their last eight home or away contests in the top flight.
The Blues’ Premier League games have seen the fewest goals of any team this season with Stamford Bridge also seeing the fewest of any top-flight venue (26 goals in total).
Prediction
Aston Villa are equipped to come away from Stamford Bridge with a positive result after taking three points at Brighton and Tottenham under Emery.
The Spanish tactician is a master of setting his team up to frustrate sides that like to play through the middle, which is what Chelsea have largely done in their last few games.
Potter’s team have lost as many home league games as they have won since November, but the number of stalemates are piling up too which suggests there is value in backing Villa not to lose this Saturday.
Back Villa to win or tie at 13/10 with LiveScore Bet.
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