Aston Villa vs Chelsea prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2024-04-26 19:00.
[p]It’s been a good few days at Aston Villa, with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League followed up by the news that manager Unai Emery had signed a contract extension. The Spaniard has his side honing in on a top-four finish, with his charges looking to open up a nine-point gap between themselves and chasing Tottenham, albeit they’ll have played three games more.[/p]
[p]The home faithful will certainly be confident having seen their side go unbeaten in five matches at Villa Park (W4, D1), a sequence that’s seen them score 14 times. Chelsea are the next visitors to try and breach the fortress, and after winning the reverse fixture in September, Villa will be looking to do the double over the Blues for the first time in the Premier League era – last achieving such a feat in 1989/90.[/p]
[p]If ever there was a Chelsea team to capitalise on, this is surely the one. Mauricio Pochettino’s side followed up their FA Cup semi-final exit by being trounced 5-0 by Arsenal in midweek – the first time they’ve ever lost a Premier League London derby by five goals! The Blues boss pulled no punches assessing that performance either, describing his team as “so soft” and rather damningly proclaiming that they “gave up”.[/p]
[p]An unwanted record came their way after that defeat, with the 57 goals Chelsea have conceded this term their most in any Premier League campaign – and they’ve still got six games remaining! That tally hasn’t been helped by a 13-game streak without a clean sheet on the road in the league, but perhaps a turnaround could be on the horizon as the Blues have won six of their last seven visits to Villa Park (L1) – including a victory here in the FA Cup in February.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Perhaps overshadowed by Ollie Watkins’ exploits, Leon Bailey has strung together an impressive run of form, directly contributing to four goals in as many games (G2, A2). Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson maybe needs an early goal to settle his finishing nerves, with each of his last five strikes arriving before half-time, including one on his last visit to Villa Park.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Of the 50 Premier League goals Aston Villa have conceded this season, a league-high 66% came in the second half of matches (CHE: 65%).[/p]