Chelsea vs Aston Villa: 5 things to look out for

Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge after successful away trips to Leicester City in the Premier League and Heidenheim in the Conference League. The Blues will be counting on the home advantage to sustain their positive momentum since the international break as they take on Aston Villa.

Reigning Young Player of the Season, Cole Palmer, started the campaign in blistering form, scoring seven goals and assisting five in his first nine matches. However, the past three games have seen a dip in his direct contributions, as his deeper positioning has reduced his impact in the final third.

While Palmer’s link-up play has been valuable, Chelsea’s scoring rate has declined significantly. A player of his caliber thrives in attacking positions, and it’s time for head coach Enzo Maresca to unleash Palmer where he can do the most damage—closer to goal. Adjusting his role could reignite Chelsea’s offensive spark.

Chelsea’s clean sheet against Heidenheim was largely thanks to Filip Jorgensen’s record-breaking performance. The Danish keeper made the most saves by a Chelsea goalkeeper in a single game since Opta began tracking data in 2003. Beyond his heroics as a shot-stopper, Jorgensen exuded calmness in possession and shielded his teammates from pressure.

In contrast, Robert Sanchez has been error-prone, directly contributing to several goals conceded this season. It’s time for Maresca to make a bold decision and reward excellence over mediocrity. If Sanchez continues to start, it could undermine the message that good performances are valued at the club.

Pedro Neto’s absence last week opened the door for João Félix’s first start of the season. The Portuguese forward had a promising outing, showing creativity and composure. While Neto has excelled on the right wing in the past, his counterpart Noni Madueke’s recent displays have been inconsistent and selfish at times, frustrating his teammates.

Maresca must prioritize form and team dynamics over reputation, ensuring that performers like Félix and Neto get their deserved opportunities while underperformers face the consequences.

Chelsea scored 15 goals in their first six matches of the season even with a blank against defending champions Manchester City. But they managed only eight in the subsequent six. Tougher opposition explains part of the decline, but Palmer’s positional change has also been a factor.

A victory against Aston Villa would keep Chelsea in the top four and ahead of Arsenal, provided they improve their goal difference. While scoring three or more goals to match Arsenal’s tally might seem unnecessary at this stage, it would send a strong statement about Chelsea’s attacking intent, especially after recent low-scoring games.

Aston Villa’s seven-match winless streak offers an opportunity for the Blues to assert dominance. Failing to secure a win against an out-of-form side at home could raise questions about Chelsea’s ambitions this season.

Aston Villa boasts a potent attack, with threats like Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Jhon Duran, and John McGinn capable of finding the net. Nevertheless, Chelsea’s defense could see a boost with Malo Gusto’s potential return, providing natural fullbacks for greater stability.

However, defensive organization remains a concern, particularly in setting the offside trap. Levi Colwill has occasionally been caught out, and mistakes at the back could prove costly against Villa’s sharp attackers.

Chelsea’s clean sheet drought, now at seven games, is another pressing issue. Much of the blame falls on Sanchez, whose errors have been decisive in recent matches. His blunders in home games against Arsenal in back-to-back seasons serve as a stark warning. If Maresca sticks with him, it’s hard to bet against Villa capitalizing on another misstep after Watkins already scored against him due to poor goalkeeping last season in this fixture.

This match is a litmus test for Chelsea’s aspirations. With their top-four spot on the line and an out-of-form opponent visiting Stamford Bridge, anything less than a win will cast doubt on the team’s trajectory. Whether Maresca makes the tough calls could define not only this game but Chelsea’s season ahead.