Chelsea vs Aston Villa Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW18)
A top-of-the-table Premier League clash awaits Saturday as fourth-place Chelsea host third-place Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge, with major implications for European qualification and the title race.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca will look to keep the Blues firmly in the top four as they continue a strong domestic campaign entering Gameweek 18.
Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, remain one of the league's most consistent sides this season. The Villans sit just three points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table while also competing near the top of their Europa League group.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Saturday's Chelsea vs. Aston Villa match.
Premier League Player News & Updates
When & Where to Watch (USA/UK)
Saturday, December 27 at 12:30 PM ET/9:30 AM PT
US schedule
- TV Channel: NBC
- Live Stream: Peacock
UK schedule
- TV Channel: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
- Live Stream: Sky Go or NOW (with a Sky Sports pass)
Chelsea vs. Aston Villa Head-to-Head Record
Chelsea and Aston Villa have met 168 times, dating back to 1907 when the sides played to a scoreless draw at Villa Park in a League Division One matchup.
The Blues lead the all-time series, winning 70 times and drawing on 37 occasions.
Little has separated the clubs across the last 10 Premier League meetings as both Chelsea and Aston Villa have lost four and won four while sharing two draws.
Fixture Trivia
Question: Which Chelsea player scored the game-winning penalty kick in Chelsea's 1-1 (6-5) win over Emery's Villarreal in their 2021 UEFA Super Cup match?
Gameweek 16 Trivia: In his Liverpool career, how many goal contributions has Mohamed Salah recorded in Premier League play versus Tottenham?
Mohamed Salah has 12 goals and 4 assists in 17 appearances versus Tottenham in the Premier League in his career.
Betting Odds and Predictions for Chelsea vs. Aston Villa
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: CHE -120 Draw +275, AVL +290
FanDuel: CHE -130 Draw +280, AVL +300
BetMGM: CHE -120 Draw +290, AVL +290
Bet365: CHE -120 Draw +280, AVL +290
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Chelsea (DWWLD) have won just once across their last five league fixtures while playing to an aggregate score of 6-6. Despite the lackluster run of form, Maresca's men maintain the third best goal differential in England's top flight (+12), trailing only the top two teams in the table, Arsenal & Manchester City.
Aston Villa (WWWWW) have won seven successive Premier League matches and 10 consecutive matches across all competitions, dating back to the beginning of November. Over the 10-match unbeaten run, the Villans have scored multiple goals in nine fixtures and recorded two clean sheets.
FORMATIONS
Chelsea employ a 4-2-3-1 under Enzo Maresca with an emphasis on controlling games. When in possession, look for a Chelsea full-back to join the attack to create a 3-3-5 look in the opponent's half.
Aston Villa are well-drilled in Emery's 4-2-3-1 formation and the nuances the head coach incorporates. Emery will play his midfielders deeper when absorbing the press in an effort to create vertical passing lanes. When the Villans are in the attacking-third, expect to see the ball move centrally as they seek to create spaces for Ollie Watkins via quick passes. As the Villans transition to defense, look for an aggressive press while their midfield attempts to disrupt the rhythm of the opponent build-up.
CONFIRMED LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Chelsea Injury News & Lineup Notes
Chelsea's most pressing injury concerns are in their attacking ranks. Liam Delap (shoulder) was forced off after just 31-minutes versus Bournemouth earlier in December and was initially given a minimum four-week recovery timeline. Estevao (strain) has played just 21 minutes across Chelsea's last four fixtures, missing two, as the Blues look to manage the teenage sensation's workload during a congested run of fixtures.
However, Maresca looks set to receive a boost as Delap was pictured in training ahead of Saturday's fixture and will likely be a game-time decision. Furthermore, according to Bobby Vincent of football.london, Estevao is likely to return to the bench for Saturday's showdown with Aston Villa.
In the midfield, Dario Essugo (thigh) is yet to play a minute this season and is eyeing a late-December return. He was pictured in training for the matchup versus Aston Villa but is availablity and fitness remain an open question. Regardless, when Essugo does return, he will lighten the load for the heavily-taxed midfield duo of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
Additionally, perpetually hobbled Romeo Lavia (quadriceps) has logged just 179 minutes this season and is currently recovering from a muscle injury he suffered just eight minutes into Chelsea's draw at Qarabag FK.
Levi Colwill (knee) remains a long-term absence after suffering an ACL injury in August.
Aston Villa Injury News & Lineup Notes
Emery is being forced to cope with injuries to his midfield and defensive ranks while also missing a depth option in attack.
Ross Barkley (knee) is out after suffering a knee injury during Aston Villa's 1-0 win over Wolves in November, according to manager Unai Emery. "Ruled out as well is Ross , his injury is more than we expected. I don't know exactly, but maybe 8-10-12 weeks. Hopefully a little bit less." Barkley was filling a super-substitute role for the Villans, and his minutes have largely been absorbed by fellow midfielder Emiliano Buendia.
Defenders Tyrone Mings (hamstring) and Pau Torres (calf) are each not expected to be available for Saturday's showdown at Stamford Bridge.
Mings suffered an injury in early Nov. and is not expected back until 2026 with head coach Unai Emery stating, "Tyrone is not available until, more or less, one month more." Torres was removed prematurely from Villa's victory over Arsenal and is still a few weeks from a return. According to manager Unai Emery,"Pau, more or less, the same; one week or two weeks, something like that."
In the absence of the veteran defenders, Ezri Konsa and Victor Lindelof have received the majority of minutes in central defense.
Lastly, depth option Evann Guessand is unavailable as he represents Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
KEY MATCHUPS
Morgan Rogers versus Chelsea Double-Pivot
Rogers is enjoying a breakout campaign that has seen him score seven goals and supply three assists across 17 Premier League appearances (17 starts), including scoring four goals across his last two appearances (two starts). If the attacker is to continue leaving an indelible mark on the 2025/26 Aston Villa campaign, he'll be forced to contend with the joint-third-best defensive record in England as Chelsea have conceded an average of one goal per match through 17 fixtures.
The Blues' defensive prowess is predicated upon Robert Sanchez's ever-increasing ability to distribute passes effectively and the dynamism of their full-back and midfield play. Caicedo and Fernandez are likely to compromise the two No. 6 roles in the Chelsea starting XI. However, look for Fernandez to push further-up the pitch and for either Reece James or Marc Cucurella to join the midfield engine room when Chelsea are enjoying sustained possession.
Chelsea won't be deterred by Aston Villa's pace on the flanks. When the Blues push forward, they'll be protected by the presumed central defensive pairing of Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana. Conversely, Rogers will be looking to combine with the likes of Ollie Watkins and John McGinn to create the attacking chances for Villa and breach the Chelsea goal.
Chelsea Pace vs. Aston Villa Backline
While I expect Chelsea to enjoy the lion's share of possession Saturday, Maresca has shown his willingness this season to have his side play deeper setups defensively, in brief spells, in an effort to draw out opponents and to spring effective counterattacks. Expect Maresca to devise a game-plan whereby he aims to isolate gifted-sprinters Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto against the likes of the veterans Victor Lindelof and Matty Cash as Chelsea scheme to create space in behind the backline.
As the wingers look to attack the central areas of the Aston Villa defense, look for Cole Palmer to be deployed in a roaming role as he picks up spaces between the Villa lines and distributes to the attacking wingers and/or striker Joao Pedro.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Joao Pedro will have the opportunity to impose his physicality upon a second-choice defensive pairing Saturday, as Chelsea are likely to have their foot on the ball for the majority of the match. Considering this, one would expect the striker to play an integral role in Maresca's plans to pierce the Aston Villa backline.
Over his last three appearances (three starts) in all competitions, the striker has attempted six shots (three on goal) and scored twice, including a goal during which he manhandled and then brushed-aside Newcastle defender Malick Thiaw on his way to goal.
I back Pedro to bully the Villans for at least one goal contribution and two shot attempts on target Saturday.
RESULT
Chelsea 2 - Aston Villa 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Chelsea: Dec. 30 vs. Bournemouth
Aston Villa: Dec. 30 at Arsenal
