Chelsea fell to defeat away at Aston Villa on Saturday evening as their slump in form continued. After suffering an early FA Cup exit and a Premier League defeat at the hands of Brighton in the past two weekends, the Blues looked to return to winning ways and made the ideal start at Villa Park when Enzo Fernandez broke the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes.
However, Villa - who themselves weren’t in great form ahead of kick-off - turned to their January signings in Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio in the second half. The pair combined to complete the comeback as Unai Emery’s side ended a run of five Premier League games without a win and announce themselves as serious contenders in battle for a top-four finish.
It is now two wins in 10 Premier League games for Chelsea as they missed the chance to leapfrog Manchester City in fourth. Reflect on the game with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Malik Ouzia at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea latest news
- GOAL! Asensio grabs his second
- GOAL! Asensio equalises after VAR review
- GOAL! Fernandez gives Blues early lead
- Chelsea injury blow: Chalobah limps off
Chelsea player ratings
19:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCole Palmer 5
Moved back to last season’s role off the right as part of rejig and looked more threatening but scoring touch has deserted him. Had to score when put through by Caicedo.
Pedro Neto 7
Another with a new role, sent through the middle. Pace and movement caused all sorts of problems early on and play to set up Fernandez goal was outstanding. Scuffed a decent chance on the volley.
Christopher Nkunku 4
Marginally more involved off the left than through the middle but still easily the least threatening of Chelsea’s attackers. Booked.
Read our Chelsea player ratings right here!
Rashford and Asensio combine to inflict defeat on Chelsea
19:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea missed the chance to move into the top four after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The Blues enjoyed a dream start as Enzo Fernandez broke the deadlock after fine wing play from Pedro Neto.
Trailing 1-0 at the break, Unai Emery turned to the on-loan Marcus Rashford and the January signing made an instant impact.
He set up both of Marco Asensio’s goals as Villa came from behind to inflict a third straight defeat on Chelsea.
FT: Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
19:31 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePedro Neto’s delivery is easily dealt with and there goes the final whistle.
Aston Villa come from behind to inflict a third straight defeat on Chelsea.
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
19:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+6 min: Chance for Villa to settle it but Bailey can’t convert.
Last chance for Chelsea, Jorgensen is going up for a free-kick...
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
19:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+3 min: Into the third minute of seven added on. James sends in a corner but it’s well defended by Villa.
GOAL! Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea | Marcos Asensio '89
19:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne89min: GOALLLLLL
Oh Jorgensen. The Chelsea keeper goes from hero to zero in the matter of seconds as he lets Asensio’s effort squirm under him and into the back of the net.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: Loose pass from Fernandez almost costs Chelsea as Rashford plays in Malen who is denied by Jorgensen.
The keeper did well in rushing off his line to spread himself.
Caicedo booked.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: HOW HAS THAT NOT GONE IN??
Rashford whips in a great cross, Konsa and Bogarde try to connect but can’t.
Ooooh, Cucurella appeared to pull back Bogarde in the box but a penalty check is cleared by VAR.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: Bailey is causing problems for Cucurella with his pace and direct running, final ball has been lacking on two occasions.
Great defending from Gusto to cut out Asensio’s pass for Rashford and Villa looked to recreate their equaliser.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne76 min: OFF THE LINE
Palmer is clean through, he stumbles but recovers in time and beats Martinez - who also slips - but his effort is cleared off the line by a recovering Konsa.
Sancho replaces Nkunku. Can he have a similar impact as fellow Man United loanee Rashford?
Villa make a double change as Malen and Bailey replace Watkins and Rogers.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne74 min: Rashford just skipped past Gusto far too easily, but the Chelsea defender fares a lot better in the next duel moments later.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: Nkunku halts Rogers’s rampaging run through the middle and earns himself a yellow card.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: McGinn into the book for a strong challenge on Cucurella.
The Chelsea bench were not happy with that tackle but those frowns almost turns to smiles as Palmer cuts inside and bends an effort just wide of the post.
Another defensive change for Villa as Garcia replaces Cash.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne66 min: Rashford with the assist for Asensio.
Aston Villa's January signings combine for the equaliser.
Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
18:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne64 min: In the aftermath of Asensio’s goal, Tyrone Mings is withdrawn after that injury scare, with Lamare Bogarde taking his place.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
18:54 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneI said at half-time that January transfer business might be the difference in the second-half. One new signing sets up the other and Aston Villa are deservedly level.
GOAL! Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea | Marco Asensio '58
18:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: THE GOAL STANDS
Rashford timed his run to perfection and despite Gusto’s best efforts, the ball is cut back to Asensio for an easy finish.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne57 min: GOAL DISALLOWED
Cash floats a lovely ball to the back post for Rashford who squares it for Asensio who taps home.
VAR checking this though.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne55 min: Fernandez trips Asensio as Villa look to counter. Clear yellow card for the Chelsea midfielder.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
18:47 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBetween this game and the Liverpool one in midweek, I cannot recall a player making as many mistakes as Mings without being punished. Remarkable good fortune.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne52 min: Neto flashes a shot across the face of goal. Nkunku felt the pass was on for him, would have been a difficult one to attempt.
That chance came about after Mings ventured forward and lost the ball.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne50 min: First opportunity for Rashford to run at Gusto, his progress is halted by the Chelsea defender who also wins a corner - much to Rashford’s surprise and disappointment.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne49 min: Mings has come back on following treatment.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne47 min: Issue for Villa as Mings looks like he will need to come off.
Bogarde is being readied.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway at Villa Park!
Unai Emery has turned to his bench as Marcus Rashford has replaced Jacob Ramsey.
No changes for Chelsea.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
18:24 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHT: 0-1. Chelsea ahead but hanging on a bit towards the end of that half as Villa upped it. Chelsea will get opportunities on the counter if it stays like this but their bench looks very thin.
Wonder if we may see the difference in the second half between a team that went big on strengthening in January and one that got weaker.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:22 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHT: Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
The visitors lead at the break thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s early goal. Villa have responded but Ollie Watkins has been denied.
Good game so far.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+4 min: One or two words exchanged between Neto and Ramsey. Don’t think we’ve seen the last of that this evening.
Villa have a free-kick, last chance of the half.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+2 min: Thankfully Cash is ok to continue. He immediately gets involved in a Villa attack but his cross is deflected into Jorgensen’s grateful arms.
Bit of keep ball from Chelsea at the moment as they look to keep their lead in tact.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: No surprise that six minutes of injury time has been signalled.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne43 min: OUCH!
Cash goes up for an aerial duel with Cucurella but on his way back down he tries to break his fall but his head bounces off the turf.
Villa right-back is being assessed by the medical staff.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne42 min: Neto’s corner is only partially cleared by Villa, the ball sets up invitingly for James to strike on the volley, but his slices his effort wide.
He was never going to turn down the chance to shoot.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne39 min: McGinn is not happy with Michael Oliver for penalising him for a foul on James.
The Villa captain claims it was shoulder to shoulder, but replays suggest he barged into the back of the Blues skipper.
Not quite sure what his argument was there.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
18:09 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHe got away with it, but there was a really poor bit of defending in there from Levi Colwill. He was pre-occupied with marking Watkins and completely missed the trigger for the rest of the backline to push up ten yards. Maatsen was left onside, but his cross was overhit.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne36 min: Jorgensen comes for a cross but completely flaps at the ball. That may give encouragement to Villa.
Nkunku has a decent effort but Martinez makes a routine save, even if he made it look spectacular for the cameras!
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne35 min: Chelsea captain Reece James gives the ball away to Watkins and the Villa ruffles the side netting with an attempt from an acute angle.
The Blues won’t want to keep gifting Watkins opportunities at goal.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
18:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBizarre from Emi Martinez. Asensio was away from inside his own half but rather than kick, the goalkeeper tries to throw it 60-odd yards and it’s cut out.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne30 min: Gusto’s effort is saved by Martinez who launches a quick counter-attack.
Watkins has Ramsey in acres of space to his left but can’t get the ball out to his Villa teammate. Could have been a foul by Colwill, but nothing given.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne28 min: Chelsea breath a huge sigh of relief after several passages of poor defending. Ollie Watkins goes close to grabbing an equaliser before Chelsea race up the other end and Cole Palmer’s effort is deflected just wide.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
17:57 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAll getting a bit fiery in the centre of the park and, as you can imagine, Enzo Fernandez is at the heart of most of it.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne25 min: CLOSE
Enzo Fernandez looks to curl an effort into the top corner, he has Emi Martinez beaten but the ball sails over the bar.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
17:52 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneVilla have come alive in the last few minutes and that is a corking block from Cucurella. Neto looks such a threat on the break, though. Tyrone Mings looks horribly exposed.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: Villa have woken up now!
Watkins hangs back and the ball falls kindly for him, though Chelsea get bodies behind the ball to force a block.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne19 min: Enzo Fernandez loves playing against Aston Villa!
He’s scored already scored one and he should have another. Great cross by Palmer and the midfielder just can’t make a clean connection.
At the other end, Watkins forces Jorgensen into a routine save.
End-to-end feel right now!
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 min: Rogers wins a free-kick after being fouled by Colwill. Aston Villa just haven’t got going yet.
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
17:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne13 min: Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
This has been a really confident start from Chelsea. They’ve been dreadful away from home recently but they’ve turned up here and played with real authority. The home crowd are already getting frustrated with Villa’s caution.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
17:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrilliant from Pedro Neto. He skinned Maatsen and then played the perfect ball between Mings and Martinez. Fernandez has licence to get forward in this new-look system and used it there.
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea | Enzo Fernandez '9
17:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne9 min: GOALLLLLL
No soon after losing Chalobah to injury, Chelsea take the lead.
Fine run from Pedro Neto and he picks out Enzo Fernandez for a simple tap-in.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
17:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea’s injury problems deepen as the player they recalled in January to help ease a centre-back crisis is forced off.
Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
17:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne7 min: Chelsea forced into an early change as Chalobah gingerly walks off and is replaced by Tosin
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
17:37 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis is the first time Reece James has started a game in central midfield for Chelsea since December 2021, in a Champions League group game against Zenit St. Petersburg.
Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
17:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: Chelsea have an issue at the moment as Chalobah is down and holding his lower back.
The defender seemed to have landed awkwardly following a collision with Asensio.
Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
17:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne4 min: Decent start by Chelsea, they are looking a threat out wide. Neto receives a pass in the box but can’t bring the ball under control.
Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
17:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: First attack for Chelsea as Pedro Neto is released down the middle but Mings comes across to block the winger’s effort for a corner.
Visitors can’t make the set-piece situation count as Villa end up winning a free-kick of their own.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
17:31 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEarly days, but Reece James very much playing in midfield. Looks like Palmer and Nkunku on the wings, with Neto through the middle.
KICK-OFF!
17:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAway we go in this Premier League clash!
Here we go!
17:26 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe players have emerged from the tunnel area and out onto the pitch.
Time for the player handshakes and then kick-off.
As is stands
17:22 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWith Bournemouth losing to Wolves earlier and Manchester City not in action until tomorrow afternoon, victory for Chelsea at Villa Park will take them into the top four of the Premier League table.
A huge incentive for the Blues given the target Enzo Maresca has set.
Not long now!
17:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLess than 10 minutes to go until kick-off at Villa Park!
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
17:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea drilling a back-four in the warm-up: Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella. James warming up with midfielders/forwards.
Maresca on James role
17:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca wasn’t giving too much away with regard to the role Reece James will operate in at Villa Park.
On paper, it looks like James will be one of three central defenders but there are suggestions he may play in midfield or even as one of the three attackers!
This is what Maresca has had to say.
“We play with full-backs is to have one outside and one coming inside. Reece can do both roles so he gives us options and today he will try to help us with the gameplan we have.”
Premier League results
17:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLeicester 0-4 Brentford
Everton 2-2 Manchester United
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves
Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace
Ipswich 1-4 Tottenham
Southampton 0-4 Brighton
Six of the seven Premier League fixtures so far have ended with the away team picking up all three points.
Will Chelsea continue the trend this evening?
Chelsea are stuck in a mid-season rut.
After a terrific start to the season that had the Blues as Liverpool’s closest title challengers, Enzo Maresca’s side are now facing a scrap for the Champions League places as the season enters its final third.
You can pinpoint the goalless draw away at Everton on December 22 as the moment the downturn began. Prior to that stage, Chelsea had taken 34 points from 16 Premier League games; since then, it is nine from nine.
Across the course of that run, a once thrilling, dynamic attack has gone stale.
Click here for the numbers that show how and why...
Maresca sets top four target
16:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca has at last set his Chelsea players the public target of finishing in the top four this season as he bids to silence criticism over a lack of ambition.
The Blues are in the midst of a dismal run of form, having taken just nine points from their last nine Premier League games ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.
However, they remain sixth, just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City and level with Bournemouth in fifth, with England looking increasingly likely to secure an additional Champions League place for next season.
Last time out
16:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea eased to a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Enzo Fernandez was on target at Stamford Bridge that afternoon and he’s scored twice in five appearances against today’s opposition.
Enzo against Villa! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/01uCZvZI6L
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 20, 2025
Aston Villa changes
16:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneUnai Emery has opted to make four changes from Aston Villa’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
Axel Disasi is ineligible to face his parent club and is replaced in the lineup by Ezri Konsa.
Matty Cash, Ian Maatsen and Jacob Ramsey also come back into the starting XI in place of Andres Garcia, Lucas Digne and Marcus Rashford.
Visitors have arrived
16:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Chelsea social media team were on hand to capture the moment when the team arrived at Villa Park...
Arriving for duty. 👋#CFC | #AVLCHE pic.twitter.com/unzCIaklu3
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 22, 2025
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Villa Park
16:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne- New system
- Cole Palmer change
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia gives his thoughts on the Chelsea team news!
🗣 "On paper, Enzo Maresca has got five defenders in his starting lineup.
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) February 22, 2025
"If it is a back five then you suspect that is going to see a slight position change for Cole Palmer."@MalikOuzia_ gives his thoughts on the Chelsea team news!
LIVE: https://t.co/aWnRmDmA3G#AVLCHE pic.twitter.com/dSvknZhPV3
Chelsea changes
16:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneI make that one change from the team that started the 3-0 loss against Brighton as Reece James replaces the injured Noni Madueke.
Looks like a change of formation from Chelsea too with five defenders named in the starting XI.
Aston Villa team in full
16:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, McGinn, Tielemans, Asensio, Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins.
Subs: Olsen, Zych, García, Malen, Digne, Bogarde, Rashford, Jimoh-Aloba, Bailey.
Chelsea team in full
16:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea XI: Jorgensen, Gusto, James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Palmer, Neto, Nkunku
Subs: Sanchez, Acheampong, Samuels-Smith, Tosin, Amougou, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Sancho, Mheuka
Aston Villa team news
16:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne...and for the hosts
Our starting XI to face Chelsea 👊 #AVLCHE pic.twitter.com/aWSxgyDA4k
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 22, 2025
Chelsea lineup announced
16:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLining up for the visitors...
Our starting XI 🆚 Aston Villa!#CFC | #AVLCHE pic.twitter.com/mPppGYWDwI
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 22, 2025
Team news imminent
16:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are expecting the team news to be announced shortly.
The big question from a Chelsea perspective is how much will Enzo Maresca rotate, if at all?
Stay tuned...
Chelsea dressing room
16:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBehind the scenes at Villa Park as the Chelsea dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.
Judging by the shirts that are hanging up, Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Jadon Sancho and Cole Palmer are all in the matchday squad.
Konsa and Bailey latest
16:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAll eyes will be on the Aston Villa matchday squad as whether Ezri Konsa and Leon Bailey are involved.
“We are going to train this evening because we played on Wednesday, yesterday we trained in the morning," Unai Emery said of Konsa yesterday. “He did compensation work with the players.
“Today, I will test him as well. In case he is feeling good, he will be in squad.
“To play or not, I will decide. I don’t know today evening or tomorrow morning.”
“Leon trained yesterday and, the same like Konsa, I think in case he’s training today normally, he will be available to be in the squad and the possibility to play tomorrow.”
Around the grounds
15:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere are the half-time scores from around the Premier League:
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Southampton 0-1 Brighton
Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves
Ipswich 1-2 Tottenham
Fulham 0-1 Crystal Palace
A good day for the away sides so far. In fact, when factoring in Brentford’s win at Leicester last night and Man United earning a point at Goodison Park, the omens appear to be in Chelsea’s favour...
Tielemans targets Chelsea scalp
15:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneYouri Tielemans is eyeing a victory over Chelsea this evening on the back of two successive home draws for Aston Villa.
“The performance was really good (against Liverpool), but we’ve got to win games now and hopefully we can do that in the next few games,” he said.
“There have been a few games where we could have killed the game before conceding a goal or whatever happened.
“To be unbeaten at home for those games is good, but you want to win games and get more out of some of them.”
Predicted Chelsea XI
15:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDespite his side’s attacking troubles, Enzo Maresca has few options to change things up, with just four fit senior forwards at his disposal, as well as teenager Tyrique George.
Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto will all likely start at Villa Park, though Maresca says academy graduate George will have a part to play in the coming weeks.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Nkunku
Setting the scene
15:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe atmosphere is beginning to build outside Villa Park ahead of kick-off!
Aston Villa are so strong at home, a tough test awaits Chelsea.
Maresca reveals reason for training ground summit
15:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEnzo Maresca has revealed details of a training ground summit held between Chelsea players and staff last month, at which he laid out his ambition to qualify for the Champions League this term.
Publicly, Maresca has always been coy about Chelsea’s aims for his debut campaign and insisted no specific demands were made by the club hierarchy when he took the job last summer.
On Friday, though, the Italian finally admitted that he has set his players the target of finishing in the top four and thus guaranteeing a return to Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2022/23.
That goal was made clear internally a month ago, when Maresca summoned all staff at the club’s Cobham training ground to a meeting in the canteen.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea latest match odds
15:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAston Villa to win: 7/5
Draw: 15/8
Chelsea to win: 6/4
Odds via Betfair (subject to change)
Aston Villa vs Chelsea: Head to head (h2h) history and results
15:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAston Villa wins: 55
Draws: 36
Chelsea wins: 66
Blues fought back from 2-0 down to earn a point in the corresponding fixture last season and eased to a 3-0 win in the reverse meeting earlier in the campaign.
Standard Sport prediction
15:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEverything points towards a home win. Chelsea are not in good form, have looked vulnerable defensively in recent weeks and are struggling to pose a threat in attack.
However, Villa haven't been convincing either of late. Whilst they played well in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool in midweek, they failed to beat a 10-man Ipswich side at home last weekend.
The Blues actually have a decent record at Villa Park but they will have to dig in to leave with anything this evening.
1-1 draw
Chelsea team news
15:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea will be without Noni Madueke this evening, after the winger was ruled out for weeks with a hamstring injury.
Madueke was forced off early in the damning 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Maresca confirmed on Friday that the Englishman will be out until after next month’s international break.
Madeuke joins Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu on the Chelsea sidelines, with Maresca suggesting that none of those players are likely to return until the other side of the break in April.
Aston Villa team news
15:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRoss Barkley, Pau Torres, Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara are all unavailable for Aston Villa because of injury, whilst Axel Disasi cannot face his parent club.
However, Ezri Konsa and Leon Bailey could return having both missed the last two matches against Ipswich Town and Liverpool.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Chelsea
15:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts at 5pm GMT ahead of a 5.30pm GMT kick-off time.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch via the Sky Go app.
Free highlights: Match of the Day will also show highlights when it airs at 10.30pm GMT on BBC One.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Welcome
14:59 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Aston Villa vs Chelsea!
An important game in the battle for Champions League qualification, as Chelsea have the chance to create some distance between themselves and Aston Villa in the Premier League table.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5.30pm GMT from Villa Park!
