Premier League: Aston Villa v Chelsea match preview

A look ahead to Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Villa Park

Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (R) scores their seventh goal past Aston Villa's Australian midfielder Chris Herd (Getty Images)

Chelsea need just one win to all but secure their place in the top four which will grant them the Champions League qualification they so desire.

Aston Villa on the other hand will want to avoid defeat to keep their noses out of the final relegation spot but will ultimately be looking for Victory to assure their safety and another season in the top flight.

After surrendering the league twice to Tottenham on Wednesday, Chelsea will have to make sure their defence does a better job against Gabriel Agbonlahor who has scored three goals in his last two games.

Villa are in good form, losing just once in their last five games. But Chelsea have not lost away from home since their Europa League trip to Rubin Kazan a month ago. And Blues manager Rafael Benitez will have to choose his team carefully not only in mind of Wednesday’s Europa League final, but also because questions were asked of his tactics in the game against Tottenham when he brought off Oscar and Eden Hazard.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Chelsea 8 (Torres, Luiz, Ivanovic, Lampard, Ramires 2, Oscar, Hazard) Aston Villa 0, Premier League, December 2012.

Aston Villa 2 (Collins, Lichaj) Chelsea 4 (Sturridge, Ivanovic 2, Torres), Premier League, March 2012.

Chelsea 1 (Drogba) Aston Villa 3 (Ireland, Petrov, Bent)

STATS…

The last three games between these sides have produced a total of 18 goals.

Chelsea last lost at Villa Park in October 2009 in a 2-1 defeat in the league.

Chelsea have scored 16 headed goals this season, the most in the league

Aston Villa have a total of 50 league wins against the Blues, compared to Chelsea’s 49 over the Villans.

ODDS…

Aston Villa to win: 4.33

Chelsea to win: 1.83

Draw: 3.60

TV: Live on Sky Sports 2 at 12.45pm, highlights on BBC 1 at 11.00pm