Premier League team news and stats

Chelsea vs Aston Villa preview

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has played down comparisons between England’s potential 2026 World Cup number 10s Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers as his side look to end Aston Villa’s 10-game winning run in all competitions on Saturday.

A talismanic figure for the Blues, Palmer returned this month from a groin problem which troubled the Three Lions regular for much of the season and will now look to outdo Rogers, who scored twice in each of Villa’s last two matches to help them beat West Ham 3-2 away and Manchester United 2-1 at home.

“I love Cole and Cole is my player,” said Maresca, whose team starts immediately behind the third-placed Villans.

“They are two fantastic players. They are going to be important [on Saturday]sure, but both need the other 10 players around them to support them and help them do the right things. It’s about Morgan, it’s about Cole – but it’s about the team.

Rogers described his mood as “really happy, really confident” after the win against United last Sunday. “The team is playing incredibly well at the moment and we believe we can beat every team,” he said. VillaTV.

“It’s a good feeling to be in this locker room right now. I always want to improve from the previous season and continue to improve.

“I had a good season last year [14 goals and 15 assists] but perhaps he drifted away a little at the end. I didn’t want that to happen this year…I’m glad I’m in a good place right now.

Villa Start the weekend one point behind Chelsea and three behind leaders Arsenal, who both have significant goal superiority.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa team news

Winger Estevao and striker Liam Delap are available for Chelsea after missing the trip to Newcastle last Saturday.

Maresca is suspended after receiving his third yellow card of the season in the 2-2 draw at St James’ Park.

Midfielders Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo remain sidelined with hamstring problems and central defender Levi Colwill is suffering from a long-term knee injury.

Winger Mykhailo Mudryk has not played since November 2024 after being suspended by the FA over an alleged abnormal drug test result.

Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez returned from a back problem against United and winger Jadon Sancho is available again, after being ineligible against his parent club.

Defenders Pau Torres (calf) and Tyrone Mings (hamstring) are out until January. Midfielder Ross Barkley is expected to be out until February with a knee problem.

Winger Harvey Elliott will likely return from illness. Evann Guessand is participating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa expected line-ups

Chelsea starting XI: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Estevao, Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto

Aston Villa from eleven: Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Victor Lindelof, Ian Maatsen, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins

How to watch Chelsea v Villa: TV channel, live stream online

Kick-off on Saturday will be at 5:30 p.m. GMT (12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.

Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a one-day subscription, £28 per month for a 12-month subscription or £34.99 per month without a contract.

Sky Sports subscriptions include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live broadcasts and a dedicated channel.

Streaming is available on a wide variety of devices via the Sky GO app.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa stats

• Only Arsenal (3) and Manchester City and Bournemouth (both 6) have conceded fewer Premier League goals at home in 2025/26 than Chelsea (7).
• Six of their last eight home matches in all competitions have ended in victory (1 draw, 1 defeat)
• Chelsea’s top scorers in the league this season have scored five times each (Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro)
• After 17 Premier League matches, Chelsea’s top scorers have only scored fewer goals at this stage on three occasions: 4 in 2022/23, 3 in 2015/16 and 4 in 1995/96.
• Enzo Fernandez has created more chances from open play (24) and completed more passes breaking the opposition’s defensive line (17) than any other Chelsea player in the league this season.
• Villa have won their last seven league matches, the last with a longer run in the top flight between October and December 1910 (9)
• They have won 12 of their 21 Premier League away matches against London sides under Unai Emery (D4 L5), more than in their previous 59 (W11 D10 L38).
• Only Arsenal (1.89) and Crystal Palace (1.78) have averaged more points per away game in the division this season than Villa (1.75).
• Rogers has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other English player in the first 17 days of the season (10 to 7 goals, 3 assists).
• He is the first Villan to score two or more goals in consecutive top-flight matches since Dion Dublin in November 1998.