Premier League: Aston Villa vs Chelsea match preview

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

Aston Villa will host Chelsea in Paul Lambert’s 100th game in charge this weekend, and the Scotsman will be hoping his side can break their worrying record of five hours and 42 minutes without a goal at Villa Park.

Last out Villa were dismantled 5-0 by a relentless Arsenal side and have failed to win at home in the league since early December. They now sit two points outside of the relegation zone with the worst goal difference in the league.

Chelsea come into the game on the back of 1-1 draw with Manchester City and will be looking to further cement their place at the top of the league. Loic Remy, who scored in the fixture, looks set to keep his place in the first team at the expense of Diego Costa who is still serving a ban for stamping on Liverpool’s Emre Can.

Branislav Ivanovic, who popped up with a late Chelsea winner against Liverpool in the League Cup recently, made his debut against Villa and boasts a record of four goals in his last five games against them.

New Villa signing Carles Gil will be hoping to impact his new side in the league as he did in the FA Cup against Bournemouth with a debut goal recently, while Christian Benteke, who hasn’t scored since early January, will be looking to finally get his season up and running.

KICK-OFF: Saturday 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Chelsea 3 (Oscar, Costa, Willian) Aston Villa 0, Premier League, September 2014

Aston Villa 1 (Delph) Chelsea 0, Premier League, March 2014

Chelsea 2 (Luna OG, Ivanovic) Aston Villa 1 (Benteke), Premier League, August 2013

STATS…

Chelsea have enjoyed five victories in their last six Premier League meetings with Aston Villa.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has never beaten Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League.

Aston Villa have scored the joint-fewest goals (11) of any team after 23 matches of an English top-flight season. Derby County were the last team in 2007/08.

Aston Villa have only managed one win in their last nine Premier league games at Villa Park.

ODDS…

Aston Villa to win: 10

Chelsea to win: 3.10

Draw: 17.4

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10:30pm