Follow live coverage as Chelsea face Aston Villa today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Chelsea FC 1 - 0 Aston Villa FC
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:39As expected, Chelsea are having most of the ball, with Aston Villa being pushed back. An Enzo Fernandez cross into the box is safely gathered by his international team-mate Martinez.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:38Goal Nicolas Jackson
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:38Caicedo last started at right-back in a Premier League game in May 2023 - during a 4-1 loss for Brighton against Newcastle. He has been drifting inside to help out Chelsea's midfield so far, so it's an interesting tactical tweak by Maresca.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:32Wearing white and sky-blue, Aston Villa kick off - we are under way at Stamford Bridge!
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:29The players are out on the pitch, and kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:29Aiming to revive his ailing side, Emery makes five changes compared to Aston Villa's last league match - their most from one top-flight game to another this season. Digne, Konsa, Cash, Kamara and Philogene all come in, with the latter making just his second Premier League start.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:24Only Sancho keeps his place in the Chelsea lineup following Thursday's Conference League win, while there are three changes from last week's game against Leicester City. Portuguese pair Joao Felix and Pedro Neto come into the hosts' starting XI, alongside Lavia.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:18SUBS: Robin Olsen, Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Jhon Duran, Emiliano Buendia, Ian Maatsen, Lamare Bogarde, Leon Bailey.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:18ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans; John McGinn, Morgan Rogers, Jaden Philogene; Ollie Watkins.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:13SUBS: Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto, Renato Veiga.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:13CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Moises Caicedo, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella; Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia; Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto; Nicolas Jackson.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:08Without a win in seven games, Aston Villa arrive in London on the back of recent draws with Juventus and Crystal Palace. Since beating Bologna at the end of October, Unai Emery's men have slumped down the standings in both the Champions League and England's top flight. Now outside of the all-important top eight places in the former, Villa also sit ninth in the latter. Nonetheless, victory today would take the Birmingham club level on points with their hosts.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:08Completing a defeat-free November, Chelsea have continued their resurgence since the last international break, following a 2-1 victory over Enzo Maresca’s old club Leicester City with a 2-0 win over Heidenheim in the UEFA Conference League. The latter result preserved their 100% record in Europe's third-tier competition, meaning that the Blues are guaranteed a playoff place at least. Though results yesterday dropped them down to fifth in the Premier League, another win today would take them third - at least for a few hours.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
13:02Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge!
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
11:30Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
