Aston Villa and Chelsea are set to clash for the second time this season in the English Premier League on Saturday at Villa Park, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET. Chelsea hopes to replicate their success from the earlier matchup, where they won 3-0. However, they enter this game after suffering a 3-0 defeat against Brighton, making this match critical for their momentum.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, is coming off a strong home performance, having recently held league leaders Liverpool to a 2-2 draw despite facing injuries and fatigue. Villa has not lost at home since August, showcasing their strength on familiar ground.
In the current betting odds, Chelsea is favored at +150, while Aston Villa is positioned as the underdog at +165, with a draw listed at +250. The total goals over/under is set at 3.5.
Villa boasts a formidable home record of 6-7-1 in the league this season, while Chelsea has a respectable record of 6-3-4 away. Key players for Villa include Ollie Watkins with five goals in his last eight matches, supported by a robust offense featuring talents like Morgan Rogers, John McGinn, and Marco Asensio.
Chelsea has historically performed well against Villa, with two wins and two draws in their last four encounters. They are hopeful that their attacking options, including Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho, will exploit Villa’s defense, which is missing key players like Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa due to injury.
SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green has thoroughly analyzed this matchup, providing insights and betting recommendations for fans and bettors alike. As both teams seek crucial points, fans can expect a competitive and intriguing matchup on Saturday.