Chelsea climbed to third in the Premier League as Aston Villa’s winless run continued at Stamford Bridge in a 3-0 defeat.
A goal inside five minutes from Nicolas Jackson set the hosts on course before Enzo Fernandez added a second before half time, the Chelsea captain connecting sweetly with a bouncing ball on the half volley. Victory was sealed late on by a stunning curled finish from Cole Palmer, lifting Enzo Maresca’s side to third and level on points with Arsenal as the two London clubs keep up the chase on leaders Liverpool.
It was another difficult outing for Unai Emery’s Villa, who are struggling to handle a busy season after a breakthrough qualification for the Champions League. It’s now eight games without a win for the club in all competitions, leaving them languishing in the bottom half of the table.
Re-live all of the action from Stamford Bridge in our live blog below:
Chelsea vs Aston Villa LIVE
- Chelsea host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon | Live on Sky Sports
- 83’ GOAL! Palmer’s superb curled effort wraps it up [CHE 3-0 AST]
- 36’ GOAL! Fernandez pokes in lovely finish to double lead [CHE 2-0 AST]
- 15’ SAVE! Watkins goes clean through but Sanchez saves well [CHE 1-0 AST]
- 7’ GOAL! Jackson opens the scoring with a lovely near-post finish [CHE 1-0 AST]
- Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Caicedo, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Fernandez; Sancho, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
- Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Philogene, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins.
Chelsea FC 3 - 0 Aston Villa FC
Chelsea impress again with convincing win as Aston Villa struggles continue
16:30 , Chris WilsonChelsea continued to impress under head coach Enzo Maresca as Aston Villa were beaten comprehensively 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, extending the visitors’ winless streak to eight games.
Maresca saw his side score from two finely worked moves in the first half then from a Cole Palmer special late on, turning in a statement performance that showcased the rapid improvements that have been made since the Italian took charge.
Nicolas Jackson got the opening goal, profiting from ceaseless work from Marc Cucurella who won the ball in midfield and then streaked into the box to cross, before Enzo Fernandez finished off a wonderful move for his second goal in as many games.
Chelsea impress again with convincing win as Aston Villa struggles continue
McGinn: “We’re in a tough moment"
16:28 , Chris WilsonJohn McGinn says that Villa “went behind from a goal that will be painful for us to watch back”.
“We didn’t capitalise on our chances to equalise.
“We’re in a tough moment as a group so it’s important for us to stick together, don’t let what we have built break, take the responsibility, take the criticism that will probably come our way and look to Wednesday.”
“We’ve still got an opportunity to do something really special this season. We have a game on Wednesday and then on Saturday so we have to turn it around quickly.”
On whether being in the Champions League is affecting their form, he added: “I’m not sure it can be an excuse because we had a more difficult turnaround last season.
“The Conference League games, Thursday to Sunday are much more difficult to recover from. It’s an easy excuse but not one we want to use.
“We know we are good enough to compete and get results like this. We need to get back to the levels we have reached over the last few seasons.”
Maresca: “Top performance on and off the ball"
16:19 , Chris WilsonChelsea manager Maresca says that “the performance was very good” today.
“Top performance on and off the ball and very happy with the three points.”
On Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson: “They are attacking players, they need to be in the box when we are attacking. We saw today that they scored in both games. Enzo was in the right position so we just need to continue.”
On goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s: “We don’t have any doubt, it is more outside noise about him. But we are very happy because he is helping us saving goals and helping in the build up.”
On Wesley Fofana’s injury: “It’s a muscular problem, looks like a hamstring, we’ll see.”
Emery: “We can do better indivdually"
16:02 , Chris WilsonUnai Emery also spoke to Sky after full-time.
“The analysis is not only for this match. We arrived here two years ago and progressively we were always getting better. This match is a good test for us to see where we are with teams like Chelsea, Liverpool a few weeks ago.
“At the beginning of the season we can sense some teams were better than us and one of them is Chelsea. Try to keep balance, not be frustrated. We are going to try again to recover our confidence on Wednesday against Brentford.
“We believe completely in our work. We are enjoying the Champions League and in the league we are more or less under where we were.
“Our challenge is to fight on Wednesday with Brentford and see how our level is with Brentford.
“There are still matches to play and we are going to recover our confidence, trying to build the team. We have to try to be better than we are being now. We can individually do better.”
Palmer: “We’re just trying to keep going and win plenty of games"
15:45 , Chris WilsonCole Palmer spoke to Sky Sports after the match, and he said that “Aston Villa are a good team, so to win and go higher up the table is good.”
“I think if I go out and enjoy my football, the goals and assists will come. It’s all down to the manager, the desire that he puts into the sessions and what the players give to him.
“If we keep winning, I’m sure we’ll be near the top four. We’re just trying to keep going and win plenty of games,” he added.
FULL-TIME! Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
15:39 , Chris WilsonWith that win, Chelsea move to third in the table, level on points and goal difference with Arsenal. In fact, with the two sides having drawn a few weeks ago, Chelsea are third on alphabetical order alone!
Villa fall to 12th, on 19 points.
FULL-TIME! Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
15:33 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
15:28 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the final whistle and Chelsea have their seventh win of the season, courtesy of three great goals.
Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
15:28 , Chris Wilson94 mins
Easy enough for the home side, who are just knocking it around waiting for full-time. Nkunku goes close with an effort from range, but it flies wide.
The commentary team on Sky claim that the early news says that Fofana’s injury is hamstring-related.
Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
15:24 , Chris Wilson90 mins
There’ll be five minutes of added time here.
Villa have half a chance as Duran forces a save from Sanchez before Torres is blocked from converting the rebound after good defending from Colwill.
Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
15:22 , Chris Wilson88 mins
CLOSE! How have the hosts not got a fourth!?
They break forwards, led by Felix, who forces a low save from the ‘keeper. Madueke is there to follow up but his shot is saved by Olsen and deflected across goal, and Neto can’t direct his header goalwards from a few yards out!
Moments larter, Felix is booked for sliding in on Tielemans.
Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
15:20 , Chris Wilson87 mins
A mistake there – Madueke was actually booked for simulation, rather than Torres being booked for the foul.
The hosts are closing the game out untroubled here, in any case.
Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
15:18 , Chris Wilson85 mins
This game was over a while ago in truth, but that goal has made sure of it.
Pau Torres is booked for a late challenge, as the hosts bring on Joao Felix and Malo Gusto for Palmer and Lavia.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
15:17 , Chris Wilson83 mins
GOAL! And Palmer wraps it up!
He takes the free-kick short to Madueke on the wing, but the winger squares a pass back to him. He cuts inside and avoids the challenge before wrapping his foot around an effort that curls perfectly into the top corner!
What a strike.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
15:15 , Chris Wilson82 mins
Chelsea win a free-kick around 30 yards out as Barkley brings down Palmer with the sliding challenge.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
15:14 , Chris Wilson81 mins
Villa are enjoying a little more possession at the moment but their attacking play is still disjointed and lacking real threat.
In the day’s other games, United are 4-0 up against Everton, while Spurs are drawing 1-1 with Fulham, who’ve just had Tom Cairney sent off.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
15:12 , Chris Wilson79 mins
Villa get forward and it briefly looks dangerous as Bailey surges into the box, but Cucurella does very well to keep his eye on it and dispossess the Jamaican.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
15:11 , Chris Wilson78 mins
Neto clips in a very dangerous ball, but Villa manage to clear with some alert defending from Torres. They try and mount a counter, but once again the ball forward has too much on it.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
15:09 , Chris Wilson77 mins
It’s still looking pretty comfortable for the hosts, whose subs have given them fresh legs and more control. They’re knocking it around comfortably now.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
15:08 , Chris Wilson74 mins
Nkunku finds Palmer on the break and he’s briefly one-v-one, but he’s forced wide and his shot is eventually blocked.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
15:06 , Chris Wilson71 mins
Villa win a corner after McGinn’s cross forces some good defending from Cucurella to head behind. It’s a great ball in and Barkley heads it goalwards at the near post, but Colwill is there to head it behind again.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
15:03 , Chris Wilson69 mins
Lovely play from Palmer to keep the ball on the edge of his box and clip a great ball to Jackson. The hosts can’t capitalise, but they do recycle possession, before Sancho fires in an effort that is deflected behind for a corner.
Chelsea make two subs, as Jackson and Sancho make way for Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
15:00 , Chris Wilson68 mins
Duran has his first pop of the afternoon, but it’s speculative and bounces off the defender.
Chelsea are preparing some changes at the moment.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:58 , Chris Wilson66 mins
A good chance for Jackson, as Konsa fails to deal with the long ball and plays it straight into the striker’s path. He’s not got a lot of space and Olsen rushes out, and the Senegal international can’t get his shot away, eventually giving away the goal kick.
Two more changes for Villa, with Philogene and Rogers coming off for Duran and Bailey.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:56 , Chris Wilson63 mins
Chelsea’s press pays off as Olsen fires a clearance straight out for a throw. Villa win it back, but the counter-attack is prevented by a superb sliding challenge from Caicedo, and Digne stays down briefly.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:55 , Chris Wilson62 mins
Kamara is replaced by Ross Barkley, who makes a return to his old club.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:54 , Chris Wilson60 mins
Brilliant stuff from Neto who dummies going one way and completely sidesteps Digne, but his eventual cross is blocked.
It’s been very comfortable for the hosts – even when Villa do get forward, they look devoid of ideas.
Cash is booked for a late challenge on Fernandez as we hit the hour mark.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:52 , Chris Wilson59 mins
Fofana is eventually forced off with that injury, and he’s replaced by Benoit Badiashile.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:50 , Chris Wilson56 mins
Villa break forward but Phiolgene can only win a corner, which ends with McGinn firing a header well over.
Fofana is briefly down for treatment.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:47 , Chris Wilson54 mins
A promising Villa attack is dealt with by Cucurella and Fernandez, before Philogene is booked for diving as he flies over the foot of the Argentinian in the box. A good call from the referee.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:45 , Chris Wilson52 mins
A quick Chelsea counter, led by Fernandez, ends with Jackson blazing an effort over from inside the box.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:44 , Chris Wilson51 mins
Torres tries to pick out Watkins with a long ball forward, but there’s too much on it. Villa come again and Rogers tries to thread a pass into Watkins’ path, but again it rolls to Sanchez.
Moments later, Jackson is flagged for offside.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:41 , Chris Wilson48 mins
Almost a big chance for the hosts as the ball into the box nearly falls to Palmer near the penalty spot, but Olsen is quick off his line to clear.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:39 , Chris Wilson46 mins
Villa have a chance almost right away as McGinn gets forward and latches onto the long ball. He cuts inside and tests Sanchez with a strike from outside the area, but but the offside flag goes up.
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:38 , Chris WilsonChelsea get the second half started.
Robin Olsen has come on for Martinez in goal for Villa.
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:37 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are coming back out of the tunnel, so we’ll be underway again soon at Stamford Bridge.
The half-time scores in the other two matches are as follows:
Man Utd 2-0 Everton
Tottenham 0-0 Fulham
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:30 , Chris WilsonThe hosts are well on top here, and have been for most of the game bar a couple of decent Villa chances. It’s a long way back for the visitors now.
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:26 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:22 , Chris Wilson50 mins
The referee brings the first half to an end and it’s a comfortable 45 minutes for Chelsea in the end, with great finishes from Jackson and Fernandez.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:20 , Chris Wilson49 mins
The half is petering out now, with the hosts looking happy to just contain the result and head into the break with a two-goal lead.
It does almost ignite again though as the visitors almost put Martinez in trouble with a horrid back pass, but he manages to get out of it.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:18 , Chris Wilson46 mins
Villa do work a chance though, as Philogene dispossesses Fernandez and slips a pass to Watkins, but the England striker can only direct a low shot too close to Sanchez.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:17 , Chris Wilson45 mins
There’ll be five minutes of added time at the Bridge. Chelsea are knocking it around fairly confidently, while Villa look a little out of ideas too.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:16 , Chris Wilson43 mins
Neto makes some space for the cross down the right but it goes out for a goal kick. Unai Emery looks a little out of ideas on the touchline.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:13 , Chris Wilson41 mins
A half-chance for Chelsea as Palmer sees the space open up ahead of him, but he fires a timid effort at Martinez.
The ‘keeper then appears to signal to the bench that he might have to come off.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:10 , Chris Wilson38 mins
The hosts almost allow Villa back into it as Watkins gets free in the box, but Fofana does well to recover before there’s a brief break in play for a foul on Lavia.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
14:09 , Chris Wilson36 mins
GOAL!
The hosts double their advantage!
They play a little combination of passes in the middle between Lavia, Fernandez and Palmer, before the latter plays it back to the Argentinian on the edge of the box. He takes a touch and it bounces up nicely, allowing him to poke a half-volley past Martinez for 2-0.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
14:06 , Chris Wilson34 mins
Sanchez is guilty of wasting possession as he passes straight out of play for a throw-in, but he makes up for it by collecting well and playing a great ball over the top to Jackson. He recycles possession to Sancho, who wriggles his way into the area before firing wide.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
14:04 , Chris Wilson32 mins
Martinez was briefly receiving treatment, but he’s okay to carry on. Enzo Fernandez delivers a corner, but Cash clears easily.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
14:02 , Chris Wilson30 mins
Oh my word! Almost a howler from Martinez! He has the ball in his own box and tries to pass it out, but plays it almost straight to Jackson. The striker clearly wasn’t expecting the pass to be that poor and he can’t quite get it under control before Martinez pounces to make a save!
So close to 2-0.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
14:00 , Chris Wilson29 mins
Palmer shifts it wide to Neto, who clips in an inviting cross that is collected well by Martinez. Good ‘keeping from the Argentina number one.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
13:59 , Chris Wilson27 mins
Chelsea haven’t really been able to sustain their pressure, but they’ve certainly looked the more dangerous of the two sides when they do get forward.
Villa are struggling to click in attack at the moment.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
13:57 , Chris Wilson25 mins
It comes to nothing in the end, as Fernandez knocks it to Palmer, who fires low and Martinez makes the save. From the follow-up, the offside flag is raised somewhere.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
13:55 , Chris Wilson23 mins
Well then! A back pass has been given, and Chelsea will have an indirect free-kick from about 10 yards out.
It all came from great work from Cole Palmer, who won possession near the box and tested Martinez with a low effort, before there ws a mix-up in the Villa backline between the ‘keeper and Torres.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
13:53 , Chris Wilson22 mins
Chelsea are biding their time in possession, sitting in front of a fairly deep Villa block, before Lavia picks out Sancho with a brilliant pass, but the ex-Unite winger is offside.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
13:51 , Chris Wilson19 mins
A few soft fouls here and there from each side, and no big events since that save from Sanchez. How vital could that prove to be?
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
13:49 , Chris Wilson17 mins
Fofana does well to defend a poor backwards pass from Cucurella and head it safely to Sanchez. Not a lot happening at the moment, with Villa happy to keep possession when they have it and Chelsea happy to let them have it in certain areas.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
13:46 , Chris Wilson15 mins
CLOSE! Watkins will wonder how he hasn’t scored here!
Villa play a long ball forward and Watkins is beaten to it at first, but he wrestles Fofana down, wins the ball and finds himself 1-v-1 with Sanchez. He has Rogers to square it to, but he fires straight at the ‘keeper!
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
13:45 , Chris Wilson13 mins
It’s a high press from Chelsea and it almost pays off, though Villa do well to play out via Martinez and Digne.
The visitors counter with plenty of space ahead of them, and it’s fed to Tielemans in the box, but Lavia does brilliantly to shepherd his compatriot off the ball before he can shoot.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
13:43 , Chris Wilson11 mins
Tielemans attempts to slide in a pass to Watkins to release the England man, but there’s a little too much on it. A warning for the hosts, perhaps.
Moments later, Kamara tries the same but it’s the same outcome.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
13:41 , Chris Wilson9 mins
Chelsea are probing for a second, with the visitors struggling to get out of their half at the moment.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
13:39 , Chris Wilson6 mins
GOAL!
There were no early opportunities but Jackson has opened the scoring out of nowehere!
villa don’t fully deal with Neto’s cross and Sancho collects, slipping the ball to an overlapping Cucurella. The Spaniard cuts it back to Jackson, who sweeps in a lovely finish off the near post!
Chelsea 0-0 Aston Villa
13:35 , Chris Wilson3 mins
Villa have had plenty of possession early on, though there’s very little penetration at the moment.
Chelsea 0-0 Aston Villa
13:33 , Chris Wilson1 min
Early pressure almost pays off for Jackson, but he fouls Konsa.
There’s been talk of three-at-the-back for Chelsea, but it certainly appears that Caicedo is lining up as an out-and-out right-back.
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 0-0 Aston Villa
13:31 , Chris WilsonThe away side get us underway in the capital.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa LIVE
13:26 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are emerging from the tunnel at Stamford Bridge, and we’re just a few minutes away from kick-off.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa LIVE
13:23 , Chris Wilson
Match facts
13:20 , Chris WilsonVilla are winless in their last four Premier League games (D2 L2). They last went five without a win between May and August 2022, while they last did so in the same season in March/April 2022 (both runs under Steven Gerrard).
They have scored both a league high total (6) and share (32%) of their Premier League goals via headers this season. As it stands, it’s their highest share of headed goals in a single top-flight campaign since 2001-02 (33% - 15/46).
Ollie Watkins has scored in his last two Premier League away games against Chelsea, with both ending up being the winning goal in the match. No visiting player has ever scored three match-winning goals at Stamford Bridge in the competition.
Match facts
13:15 , Chris WilsonJust 41% of Chelsea’s Premier League points this season have come in home games (9/22), the lowest ratio of any side so far this term.
The Blues have conceded at least once in all six of their Premier League home games this season – they last had a longer wait for a home clean sheet from the start of a league campaign in 1978-79 (9 games).
No player has created more chances from open play in the Premier League this season than Chelsea’s Cole Palmer (28). Aston Villa are one of just three sides he’s failed to score or assist against in the league since joining the Blues (2 appearances), along with Liverpool (2 apps) and Leicester (1).
Emery: “We have to try to use our experiences to try to get better”
13:10 , Chris WilsonSpeaking in his own pre-match conference, Villa boss Unai Emery said that his side have “won two times and we’ve drawn in the cup but now it is a different match”.
“A different match, different players and different coach of them. They are feeling comfortable, they are performing consistently and getting better and the challenge is this Sunday.
“We are not thinking about it [recent performances]. We are getting experiences playing in Europe and the Premier League and we have to try to use our experiences to try to get better.”
Match facts
13:05 , Chris WilsonChelsea are winless in their last three Premier League meetings with Aston Villa (D1 L2), last having a longer such run against them between February 2006 and December 2007 (5).
Aston Villa have won their last two Premier League away games against Chelsea, as many as in their previous 21 visits to Stamford Bridge (D4 L15). They last won three consecutive away league games against the Blues between 1930 and 1933.
Maresca: Chelsea not in the title race
13:00 , Chris WilsonSpeaking in his pre-match press conference, Enzo Maresca simply replied “no” when asked if his side were in the title race.
“I said many times - I didn’t like the pressure. I didn’t like to say yes we are there, but we are not there.
“Arsenal are ahead of us, [Manchester] City is ahead of us, Liverpool showing they are ahead of us. The important thing is we improve game after game and then we will see.
“For me, it is not about points or the table, it is about the process and the programme. Five years together [Arsenal], nine together [Man City]... Liverpool is different but they didn’t make too many changes from before. [It’s] not about the points difference on the table, it is about the time together.”
The Italian added that it is good to see his team improving, but “at the same time, you have to be realistic”.
“You can see the difference between us and the rest in this moment. It doesn’t mean we are not going to compete and win games. We will do that to the end. The main focus has to be the feeling we are improving game after game.”
Head-to-head
12:55 , Chris WilsonThis will be the 157th meeting between these two sides, with the first dating back to the early 1900s. Overall, Chelsea have won 65, with Villa winning 55 and 36 ending as draws.
In this fixture last season, Villa ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from Ollie Watkins, while the reverse fixture finished as a 2-2 draw.
The two sides also faced off in the FA Cup, with the first match ending as a draw and the replay ending with a 3-1 win to the Blues.
Today’s other Premier League matches
12:47 , Chris WilsonThere are two more 1.30pm kick-offs today, with Manchester United taking on Everton at Old Trafford and Tottenham facing Fulham,
Of course, 4pm sees the big clash at the top of the table, with Liverpool hosting Manchester City.
Matty Cash sees Aston Villa’s home draw with Juventus as a step forward
12:40 , Chris WilsonAston Villa defender Matty Cash says the 0-0 Champions League draw against Juventus was a “building block” in their bid to regain top form.
Villa’s early-season promise has hit the skids in recent weeks and the Villa Park stalemate was a seventh game without a win, comfortably the longest streak in Unai Emery’s reign.
But their display against the Italian giants, which could have been a win had Morgan Rogers’ injury-time goal not been controversially ruled out, was much better.
Matty Cash sees Aston Villa’s home draw with Juventus as a step forward
Team news
12:32 , Chris WilsonUnai Emery has made two changes to the side that drew to Juventus in midweek. In defence, Ezri Konsa is fit to start in place of Diego Carlos, while on the wing, Jaden Philogene comes in for Leon Bailey.
Team news
12:26 , Chris WilsonEnzo Maresca has made three changes to the side that beat Leicester last time out, with Benoit Badiashile dropping out of defence in favour of Romeo Lavia, who moves into midfield with Caicedo dropping back into defence.
On the wings, Madueke and Felix are replaced by Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto.
It looks like Moises Caicedo will be playing at right-back today.
Line-ups
12:18 , Chris WilsonChelsea XI: Sanchez; Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Neto, Caicedo, Lavia, Enzo, Sancho, Palmer, Jackson.
Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga, Gusto, Madueke, Felix, Mudryk, Nkunku.
Chelsea's starting XI is in! 📋🔵#CFC | #CHEAVL pic.twitter.com/nma6ssknnZ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 1, 2024
Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Philogene, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins.
Subs: Olsen, Carlos, Mings, Maatsen, Bogarde, Barkley, Buendia, Bailey, Duran.
This afternoon’s team to take on Chelsea 👊 pic.twitter.com/IWKuf4X1BH
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 1, 2024
Team news
12:10 , Chris WilsonHere’s a quick reminder of the other team news, with the line-ups expected to be announced at 12.15pm.
Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto have returned to training, so they could be involved against Villa, while most first-team players sat out the win over Heidenheim. With Gusto back, the hosts will likely go with a fairly familiar back five.
Maresca’s main issue could be who he picks to partner Moises Caicedo in midfield, with Enzo Fernandez having performed well against Leicester, but with Romeo Lavia having previously been the big-game starter.
The front four should also look pretty standard, as Noni Madueke and Neto return to the wings with Palmer in the middle and Nicolas Jackson upfront.
Villa’s side will likely look pretty similar to the one that drew to Juventus, with Boubacar Kamara starting in midfield in the absence of Amadou Onana.
Ezri Konsa was in the squad in midweek, so he could return to the defence alongside Pau Torres at centre-back.
Jacob Ramsey is still sidelined, so the front three will likely be a combination of Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers and John McGinn once more, with Ollie Watkins leading the attack.
Enzo Maresca given first team dilemma after back-up goalkeeper’s 11-save show
12:00 , Chris WilsonChelsea manager Enzo Maresca has promised more chances for his fringe players after back-up goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen impressed in the 2-0 win over Heidenheim.
The Italian continued to rotate for Chelsea’s latest win in the Europa Conference League, making 10 changes, and Jorgensen put in perhaps his best display of the season.
The 22-year-old Danish goalkeeper, who joined from Villarreal in the summer, has been tipped to replace Robert Sanchez as Chelsea’s No 1 after a number of unconvincing performances this season.
Enzo Maresca given first team dilemma after back-up goalkeeper’s 11-save show
Chelsea set to lose Reece James for weeks but replacement close to return, says Enzo Maresca
11:50 , Chris WilsonChelsea are set to be without captain Reece James for several weeks and the defender may not return to action until the new year.
James missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury, before returning to make three appearances before the November international break. But the 24-year-old is back on the treatment table after picking up a fresh hamstring injury in training.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League match with German club Heidenheim, Maresca said: “I think the best thing we can do for Reece James is not to talk too much about him. The more we talk, the more pressure we put on him”.
Chelsea set to lose Reece James for weeks but replacement close to return
Predicted line-ups
11:40 , Chris WilsonCHE - Sanchez; Gusto, Colwill, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
AST - Martinez; Cash, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, McGinn, Watkins.
Prediction: It’ll be a close match at the Bridge, but with Villa’s struggles of late and Chelsea’s recent resurgence, it’s hard to see anything but a home win. Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa.
Is Chelsea vs Aston Villa on TV?
11:30 , Chris WilsonWhen is the match?
Chelsea vs Aston Villa kicks off at 1.30pm GMT on Sunday 1 December.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event, with coverage starting at 1pm. Subscribers can stream via the Sky Go app.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
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Team news
11:20 , Chris WilsonChelsea’s most recent injury news involves captain Reece James, who could miss out until as far as mid-January with a new injury problem.
Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto have returned to training, so they could be involved against Villa, while most first-team players sat out the win over Heidenheim.
Maresca’s main issue could be who he picks to partner Moises Caicedo in midfield, with Enzo Fernandez having performed well against Leicester, but with Romeo Lavia having previously been the big-game starter.
With Gusto back, the hosts will likely go with a fairly familiar back five, though there is a possibility that Filip Jorgensen could replace Robert Sanchez in goal after his midweek heroics.
The front four should also look pretty standard, as Noni Madueke and Neto return to the wings with Palmer in the middle and Nicolas Jackson upfront.
Villa’s side will likely look pretty similar to the one that drew to Juventus, with Boubacar Kamara starting in midfield in the absence of Amadou Onana – there is still no timeline on a return for the Belgian.
Ezri Konsa was in the squad in midweek, so he could return to the defence alongside Pau Torres at centre-back.
Jacob Ramsey is still sidelined, so the front three will likely be a combination of Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers and John McGinn once more, with Ollie Watkins leading the attack.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa LIVE
11:10 , Chris WilsonChelsea host Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League, with the Blues looking to potentially move as high as second in the table before City play Liverpool.
The Blues have continued their resurgence under Enzo Maresca since the international break, with a win over Leicester City followed by a midweek win that takes them to the brink of the next round in the Conference League.
Meanwhile, Villa have continued a mixed run of form that has yielded just one win in their last eight matches, and Unai Emery is beginning to come under pressure in some corners of Villa Park with the club having fallen down to eighth.
Nevertheless, just four points separate these two sides at kick-off, so any result could be an important one come the end of the season.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa LIVE
11:00 , Chris WilsonGood morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa.
The Blues could go as high as second in the league today, with Villa sitting four points behind them in eighth as kick-off looms.
We’ll have all the latest build-up, team news and updates here.
