Aston Villa will welcome Chelsea to Villa Park on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in a crucial Premier League encounter. A victory for Unai Emery’s side would see them close the gap to just one point behind the West London outfit. However, Villa faces a challenging fixture schedule, with five matches in just 13 days, adding to their struggles with injuries and squad fatigue.
Chelsea, on the other hand, will be aiming to break into the Premier League’s top four with a win. Historically, Villa Park has been a favorable venue for the Blues, as they have only suffered one defeat there since 2014. With both teams battling for European spots, this matchup promises an intense contest.
Aston Villa Team News and Injury Updates
Villa’s packed schedule has raised concerns about player fatigue and injuries. The team has already played midweek against Liverpool, securing a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Villa Park. With FA Cup action against Cardiff coming up on Tuesday and Friday, rotation will be key for Emery.
Key players Ezri Konsa and Leon Bailey face late fitness tests after returning to training on Friday. Emery might opt to bench them to prevent further setbacks. Defensive options are further depleted with Axel Disasi ineligible to play against his parent club. Additionally, Pau Torres, Boubacar Kamara, and Amadou Onana remain sidelined.
Chelsea Team News and Injury Concerns
Chelsea is also dealing with injury woes. Manager Enzo Maresca expects several players to return after the March international break. Noni Madueke, the latest casualty, sustained a hamstring injury in their last outing against Brighton.
Other key absentees include Nicolas Jackson, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, and Marc Guiu. The Blues will be looking to overcome their struggles away from home, having failed to register an away victory in any competition this calendar year. Their last win on the road was a 3-1 triumph over FC Astana in the Europa Conference League.
Current Form Guide
Aston Villa: WLWDD
Villa’s form has been inconsistent, with only two wins in their last five games. Despite a spirited 2-2 draw against league leaders Liverpool, their winless Premier League run has extended to five matches. They have also struggled to convert home fixtures into victories, drawing against Ipswich, West Ham, and Liverpool while losing to local rivals Wolves.
With five points separating them from the top four, Villa will be desperate to regain momentum.
Chelsea: WLWLL
Chelsea’s inconsistency has derailed their title hopes. Since December 22, they have collected just nine points from a possible 27. Their recent back-to-back defeats against Brighton saw them crash out of the FA Cup before suffering a 3-0 league loss to the Seagulls.
Maresca’s squad needs a strong response, and a win at Villa Park could be crucial in their quest for a top-four finish. However, they will also be reliant on results elsewhere, with Manchester City and Bournemouth’s performances impacting their standing.
Last Meeting: Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa (December 1, 2024, Premier League)
The last encounter between these two sides saw Chelsea secure a dominant 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Marc Cucurella’s early assist set up Nicolas Jackson for the opener, while Enzo Fernandez doubled the lead with a clinical strike. Cole Palmer sealed the win with a stunning left-footed effort into the top corner.
Since that victory, Chelsea’s form has dipped, increasing the stakes for this upcoming clash.
Match Details
- Kick-Off Time: 17:30 GMT, Saturday, February 22, 2025
- Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- VAR: Paul Tierney
- TV Coverage: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Ultra, Sky Go UK, NOW UK
Predicted Lineups
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Malen, Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Nkunku.
Match Odds
- Aston Villa: 13/8
- Draw: 12/5
- Chelsea: 8/5
Key Takeaways
- Villa’s Fixture Congestion: Five matches in 13 days could test their squad depth.
- Chelsea’s Away Struggles: No away wins in 2025 so far.
- Top Four Race: A win could push Chelsea into the Champions League spots.
- Injury Woes: Both teams are missing key players, potentially impacting the match’s outcome.
With both teams eager to secure three points, this match is set to be a thrilling encounter. Stay tuned to Daljoog News for post-match analysis and expert opinions.