Aston Villa vs Chelsea preview: Erick Black takes charge of strugglers

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Villa Park

(Getty)

It’s a big game for…

Jack Grealish- This time a year ago, Grealish was at the centre of an international tug-of-war between England and Ireland and was being toasted as one of the future stars of the Premier League, fast-forward to now and he’s something of a forgotten man at Villa Park having been frozen out by Remi Garde.

With Garde now out of the picture Grealish could be in contention for a return this weekend and will be desperate to show that last season was no flash in the pan.

Weird /best stat…

15: In six of the last eight meetings between these two teams, the opening goal has been scored inside the opening 15 minutes.

Remember when…

Despite only being 3 seasons ago, the Premier League was a very different place in December 2012. Aston Villa were comfortable in mid table, Rafa Benitez was in charge of European Champions Chelsea and a fine display from Fernando Torres helped Chelsea to an 8-0 win over Villa at Stamford Bridge.

Player to watch…

Eden Hazard- The reigning PFA Player of the Year was jeered throughout his side’s defeat to PSG in the Champions League earlier this month and will be keen to silence some of his critics against the league’s bottom side.

Hazard has looked a shadow of the player he was last season and has been strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer. With the European Championships on the horizon the Belgian playmaker will be keen to re-capture some sort of form starting with Villa on Saturday.

Past three-meetings…

Chelsea 2 (Costa, Hutton OG) Aston Villa 0, Premier League, October 2015

Aston Villa 1 (Okore) Chelsea 2 (Hazard, Ivanovic), Premier League, February 2015

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

Form guide…

Aston Villa: LLLLLL

Chelsea: WWDLLD

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 12:45

TV: Live on BT Sport