English Premier
2025-12-27 - Chelsea vs Aston Villa
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 27th December 2025 - Kick Off 5:30pm
This game is live on TV
Chelsea
Enzo Maresca may not be completely happy at Stamford Bridge, but that does not mean his work has gone unnoticed and it has been reported that he is high on the Manchester City shortlist to potentially replace Pep Guardiola. The manager has denied any interest in any opening at the Etihad Stadium, but Maresca will want to see more support from the Chelsea board.
His players are still performing for the manager and Chelsea showed plenty of character to fight back for a point at St James' Park last Saturday. It has pushed The Blues into 4th place in the Premier League table, although the top three have begun to get away from them and that makes this fixture a bit more important as far as Chelsea are concerned. The side have a 4-2-2 record at Stamford Bridge this season and that will need to be improved in the second half of the campaign.
Chelsea have been inconsistent in recent weeks, but they are unbeaten in 3 games in all competitions and had won back to back fixtures before the 2-2 draw at Newcastle United. The Blues are unbeaten in 4 home games in all competitions and Chelsea have won 3 of those fixtures.
Estevao and Liam Delap are both hoping to be available for selection.
Aston Villa
Morgan Rogers continues to show why Thomas Tuchel has been selecting him ahead of Jude Bellingham for the national team and his two goals helped Aston Villa to a tenth straight win last Sunday. Unai Emery was not completely happy with the performance in the 2-1 win over Manchester United last weekend, but it is another three points earned and the manager may look for the board to back him in January to ensure a strong end to this season.
A slow start to the campaign has long been put behind them and Aston Villa are 3rd in the Premier League table and just 3 points behind leaders Arsenal. The Villans travel to West London with a 4-2-2 away record in the top flight where they have scored 12 goals and conceded 11.
Aston Villa have secured 10 wins in a row in all competitions and there is little doubt that the squad are full of confidence and belief. After suffering consecutive away defeats at Go Ahead Eagles and Liverpool, Aston Villa have beat West Ham United at the London Stadium to make it 4 away wins in a row.
Jadon Sancho is available having been ineligible to play against Manchester United, while Harvey Elliot is a doubt. Pau Torres is hoping to be available, but may have to wait a few more days.
Head to Head
Both Aston Villa and Chelsea beat the other at home last season.
Chelsea had suffered consecutive home Premier League defeats to Aston Villa before the 3-0 win in December 2024.
Prediction
This looks to be a fascinating Premier League fixture to be played on Saturday afternoon in front of the television cameras in a prime time spot.
Both Chelsea and Aston Villa are in the top four of the Premier League table and recent form has been encouraging.
Unai Emery's team have won 10 in a row and there is no doubt that the players are full of belief- they have perhaps not always been dominant, but Aston Villa have show composure in the final third when chances have come up and that has seen them edge to a number of those victories.
This week is a significant test for Aston Villa and it is a time when people will work out whether they can be seen as title contenders or not.
On Tuesday they visit current Premier League leaders Arsenal, but before that Aston Villa travel to West London to take on a Chelsea team that look to be rounding into some positive form.
Enzo Maresca may have voiced his frustrations, but the players are behind the manager and showed character in extending the unbeaten run to 3 games in all competitions after the 2-2 draw at Newcastle United.
The Blues have been better at home and Chelsea will feel they have the talent in the final third to make the difference in what looks an intriguing game. Chelsea will be keen to close the current gap between themselves and Aston Villa in 3rd place and they will believe the quality in the final third can hurt a visiting team with some injuries to deal with in the defensive areas.
Games between Chelsea and Aston Villa have been very competitive in recent years and both teams will be chasing top four finishes at the very least.
Last season home advantage turned out to be important in both League fixtures played and the feeling is that we will see the same here on Saturday.
Scoring first will feel important and Chelsea can do that in snapping Aston Villa's strong run and helping the home team earn a narrow victory in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa
