English Premier
2026-03-04 - Aston Villa vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Wednesday 4th March 2026 - Kick Off 7:30pm
This game is live on TV
Aston Villa
Unai Emery has tried to downplay the recent shift in Aston Villa's ambitions having mentioned the amount of times that has happened through different periods of form in the Premier League this season. There is no doubt the current form has not been good enough as Aston Villa have opened the door in the Champions League race and this is a huge game to try and turn the momentum.
The very disappointing defeat at Wolves on Friday night only made the supporters feel worse when watching a pretty poor performance, especially in the second half. That means Aston Villa have been dropped into 4th place in the Premier League standings, although they remain 6 points clear of Chelsea in 6th and with an opportunity to improve the 9-2-3 record at Villa Park in the Division.
Aston Villa have only won 1 of the last 6 games in all competitions, which has really not helped anyone around the club, and they have lost half of those fixtures following the defeat at Molineux. Recent home form has not been that impressive with Aston Villa having won 2 of the last 6 at Villa Park in all competitions and losing 3 times. That could have been an even poorer looking record if not for a late equaliser against Leeds United in the last Premier League game here.
A number of midfielders remain absent for the home team and that has really hurt- John McGinn is perhaps closest to a return, but remains doubtful. Ollie Watkins has once again looked like a striker lacking confidence and could be replaced by Tammy Abraham.
Chelsea
Set pieces and the manner in which they are competed were the major talking point after Chelsea's defeat at Arsenal on Sunday, but Liam Rosenior has to be pretty pleased with some of the aspects of his team's performances. He was not happy with an poor decision made by Pedro Neto that saw him sent off with the game in the balance, while some of the officiating may have grated on him too, but Rosenior will believe his Chelsea team gave as good as they got.
Unfortunately you don't get anything for a good performance without a positive result and Chelsea have been put under pressure thanks to wins for Manchester United and Liverpool. The Blues need to earn a spot in the Champions League after latest financials were released and they are 6th in the Premier League table and now 3 points behind 5th placed Liverpool with this important game to come. The side have a 6-4-4 away record in the top flight where Chelsea have scored 26 goals and conceded 17.
Chelsea have progressed in the FA Cup, but the defeat in North London on Sunday means they have not won any of the last 3 Premier League games and that run needs to be ended as soon as possible. Under the current manager's guidance, Chelsea have won 5 of 7 away games in all competitions with both exceptions being narrow defeats at Arsenal.
Pedro Neto will serve a one match suspension, but Wesley Fofana is available having served a suspension of his own. Marc Cucurella and Estevao are both edging closer to returns, while the likes of Reece James and Cole Palmer look to have come through the game at the Emirates Stadium healthy enough to be involved on Wednesday.
Head to Head
Chelsea led and were dominating, but ultimately were beaten by Aston Villa 1-2 at Stamford Bridge in December.
Aston Villa had lost 3 in a row at home against Chelsea, but have since held them to a 2-2 draw and beaten them 2-1 at Villa Park.
Prediction
This is an absolutely huge game for both Aston Villa and Chelsea who have slumped in recent weeks while Manchester United and Liverpool have picked up real form and momentum.
The latter of those teams are playing at Molineux on Tuesday and they have a real chance to increase the pressure on these two teams.
Aston Villa struggled in that environment on Friday, but that said more about Unai Emery's team than Wolves and the lack of intensity and the real dip in confidence was clear to see. Losing key midfield bodies have hurt Aston Villa and the team have been struggling at both ends of the field.
You would almost forget that Aston Villa still have a 6 point lead over 6th placed Chelsea with some of the negative feelings around the club, but those cannot be ignored.
A lack of goals has left Aston Villa vulnerable and they have simply not earned enough clean sheets, while they are also making key mistakes that are being punished.
They will be hosting a Chelsea team that have just lost at Arsenal, but Liam Rosenior's men gave a pretty good account of themselves and definitely looked the more threatening from open play. Even when reduced to ten men, Chelsea looked the more likely to score next and the manager will just be keen to see his team play with a full complement for the entirety of this fixture.
Chelsea have won 5 of 7 away games played under the current manager with both exceptions being those defeats at the Emirates Stadium. In both Chelsea were perhaps unfortunate to lose and they should still have enough threat in this one to give Aston Villa plenty to think about.
Over the last six weeks, Villa Park has been far from a fortress and Chelsea are capable of finding the right passages of play in the final third to win this fixture.
Nothing will come easy and the first goal is going to be massive in the context of the fixture, but Chelsea are a big price to win even with forty-eight hours less time to prepare.
Unai Emery's team have beaten all three teams above them in the Premier League table at home this season, which has to be respected. However, in 2026, Everton, Brentford and Newcastle United have all won at Villa Park and Chelsea may just reignite their own Champions League push with an important result on Wednesday evening in the West Midlands.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea
