Chelsea vs. Aston Villa, Premier League: Preview, team news, how ...

We enter the second trimester of the Premier League season this weekend, and Chelsea come into this round of fixtures sitting third and right in the middle of what’s promising to be a long and dramatic top-four fight: given Manchester City’s recent struggles, places second through eighth are separated by just four points. That eight place belongs to Aston Villa, who come to town on Sunday.

So that’s seven teams into the three non-Liverpudlian Champions League positions for next season. Arsenal, Brighton, and Nottingham Forest have already won this weekend. Time to roll up our sleeves! (And put some gloves on; it’s cold out there!)

“I still think City will be there. Arsenal, for sure, will be there. Liverpool will be there. There are not many spots. We are going to try and compete every game and then we will see where we are [....] and be there as much as we can.”

-Enzo Maresca; source: Football.London

Date / Time: Sunday, December 1, 2024, 13.30 GMT; 8:30am EST; 7pm ISTVenue: Stamford Bridge, SW6Referee: Stuart Attwell (on pitch); Michael Salisbury (VAR)Forecast: Rainy and breezy

On TV: Sky Sports Main Event (UK); USA, Telemundo (USA); none (India); SuperSport MaXimo 1, Canal+ Sport 3 (NGA); elsewhereStreaming: Sky Go (UK); NBC Sports Live, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA); Disney+ Hotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Chelsea team news: The news is mostly good, especially with half the team rested midweek while the B-lineup jetted off to Germany to take care of business against Heidenheim in the Europa Conference League. Those who had been nursing minor knocks and injuries should all be good to go, including Malo Gusto, Pedro Neto, and Cole Palmer.

The one piece of bad news is Reece James’ latest hamstring injury saga, which is only just getting started. The captain is not expected to return until the new year, at the earliest.

Since losing on opening day to Manchester City, we’ve gone nine unbeaten at home with six wins in all competitions, though the three 1-1 draws have all come in the league, which is a bit annoying. We have four games left at the Bridge in 2024; let’s win them all!

Photo by Aston Villa/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images

Aston Villa team news: It’s been over a month since Villa last won a game, having gone winless in their last seven in all competitions, including three successive away defeats (Spurs, Club Brugge, Liverpool). They drew 0-0 with Juventus midweek; those Champions League nights have tested their squad depth as such situations often do.

That depth will be further strained should Amadou Onana continue to miss time; the midfielder picked up an injury on international duty a couple weeks ago and has not featured since. The one and only Lord Barkles a.k.a. Boss Ross a.k.a. Preseason Messi a.k.a. Ross Barkley could be set to start against his former employers; he’s scored in his last two Premier League appearances.

Jacob Ramsey is the only other injury concern of note for the visitors.

Previously: We haven’t beaten Villa in the league in our last three tries, since a Mason Mount brace at Villa Park in 2022. We did beat them in the FA Cup last season though, with Nico and Enzo among the goalscorers.