Chelsea are today on the verge of a Premier League top-four finish but must finish the job as they visit Aston Villa on the final day of the season.
Thomas Tuchel’s Blues beat fellow top-four rivals Leicester City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night - a result which means Chelsea will ensure Champions League qualification as long as they match the Foxes’ result against Tottenham on Sunday.
Chelsea may have lost the FA Cup Final to Leicester, but can still end the season on a high with a Champions League Final against Manchester City to look forward to.
A win versus Villa would ensure a top-four spot and mean Chelsea don’t need to beat City to be playing Champions League football next term - but Dean Smith’s side won 2-1 at Tottenham on Wednesday night, and could still ruin the Blues’ party.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Aston Villa vs Chelsea is scheduled for a 4pm BST kick-off on Sunday, May 23, 2021.
Fans will be present at Villa Park after the easing of lockdown restrictions earlier this week.
Where to watch Aston Villa vs Chelsea
TV channel: The match will be televised on Sky Sports Action.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers will be able to watch the match online via the website or Sky Go app.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea team news
N’Golo Kante is a doubt for Chelsea after being subbed off during the first half of their League win against Leicester. The midfielder suffered a hamstring problem and Tuchel must decide whether to risk Kante with the Champions League Final also coming up next weekend.
Elsewhere for the Blues, Kai Havertz and Andreas Christensen are doubts, but will be hoping to return.
As for Villa, Ross Barkley is unable to face his parent club, while Matty Cash, Morgan Sanson and Mahmoud Ibrahim Hassan are on the injury list.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea lineups
Aston Villa predicted XI (3-4-3): Martinez; Konsa, Hause, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Nakamba; Traore, Grealish, El Ghazi; Watkins
Chelsea predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mount, Werner, Havertz
Aston Villa vs Chelsea prediction
Despite a great run under Tuchel, Chelsea have still been hit and miss this season - especially Timo Werner. If they are not at their best, Villa are capable of pulling off a win - but the Blues will fancy their chances of getting the job done.
Villa 1-2 Chelsea
Head to head (h2h) history and results
(Premier League fixtures)
- Villa wins: 12
- Chelsea wins: 26
- Draws: 13
- Last meeting: Chelsea 1-1 Villa (28/12/2020)
Betting odds and tips
- Villa win: 11/2
- Draw: 17/5
- Chelsea win: 4/9
- Olivier Giroud anytime goalscorer: 10/11
