Having simply reached the ultimate of The League Cup, Chelsea at the moment are in motion within the second home cup on this nation, The FA Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino’s facet will likely be absolutely assured from thrashing Middlesbrough 6-1 on Tuesday night, and they’re going to fancy themselves at dwelling this Friday towards Aston Villa within the FA Cup 4th spherical.
In fact, Villa current a a lot harder opposition than Boro did, however there’s a feeling that some issues are lastly beginning to click on for Pochettino. I’m cautious although, as a result of I’ve typed that a couple of occasions earlier than this season just for us to then lose the following recreation together with a poor efficiency.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Chelsea vs Aston Villa is scheduled for a 7.45pm GMT kick-off time on Friday 26 January, 2024.
Stamford Bridge in London will host
The place to observe Chelsea vs Aston Villa
TV channel and dwell stream: The sport is not going to be broadcast dwell on TV within the UK.
I will likely be working the dwell match day dialogue thread on the Substack App chat part although, so please do be part of me there.
Present kind
Chelsea FA Cup kind:
W
Chelsea kind (all competitions):
WWWLWW
Aston Villa FA Cup kind:
W
Aston Villa kind (all competitions):
WDLWWD
As you may see, Chelsea’s present kind within the final 5 video games is barely higher than Villa, however Villa at the moment sit 5 locations above Chelsea within the league and are 12 factors forward.
Villa have drawn with Everton and misplaced to Manchester United of their final 4 video games throughout all competitions.
Opposition scouting
Unai Emery is a supervisor who likes his groups to play soccer and on the entrance foot. Of their final recreation towards Everton, a 0-0 draw, they bossed possession with 69% and had 16 makes an attempt on purpose.
It was related of their 3-2 dwelling win towards Burnley, with 66% possession and 19 makes an attempt on purpose.
Even away at Manchester United, a recreation they misplaced 3-2, they nonetheless had 55% of the possession.
So it’s protected to say that they are going to be coming at Chelsea which may make for fairly an open recreation, and likewise give this one the potential to be fairly excessive scoring as each groups play on the entrance foot and wish to have possession.
Emery will use a again 4 and look to Douglas Luiz to assist them boss it within the center. There will likely be a battle available there with the likes of Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez, and particular person battles may determine this recreation.
Up prime they’re a risk with gamers like Ollie Watkins who has been in good kind, they usually have first rate tempo and depth within the excessive press. Chelsea typically battle to play out towards an intense press, so Pochettino will want to pay attention to that.
Face to face (h2h) historical past and outcomes
Chelsea wins: 68
Attracts: 35
Aston Villa wins: 60
Chelsea vs Aston Villa staff information
Pochettino has spoken to the media and Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku, while each again in coaching, is not going to make this recreation. Must be out there for subsequent week. No different injured gamers are anticipated again but, and there will likely be a late health take a look at and evaluation to see if Ben Chilwell can begin or if he begins on the bench.
Villa could possibly name on Pau Torres and Jacob Ramsey for the sport, though Lucas Digne, Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia are out long-term.
Predicted Lineup
I feel Conor Gallagher will likely be recalled and Armando Broja comes out for Cole Palmer to play because the false 9, similar to we ended the Boro recreation doing.
Pochettino was clearly sad with Mykhailo Mudryk on Tuesday so I feel he would possibly come out of the beginning Xl for Noni Madueke.
The again 4 had been good on Tuesday and are more likely to return as the identical again 4 on Friday, as Gusto is deemed not match sufficient to be concerned.
Chilwell If he’s deemed match enought to start out, will begin.
Rating prediction
I’m going for Chelsea 2 Aston Villa 3 (sorry).
We all know they will be a really robust facet to play towards and can are available in and attempt to be on the entrance foot.
I feel it has the potential to be excessive scoring and fairly wild, which is why I’ve gone for this rating prediction. I can see us combating the stress of the excessive press and the house crowd then getting irate.
Odds
Chelsea – 11/10
Draw – 12/5
Villa – 23/10
Each groups to attain YES – 3/5
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and proper at time of publication.
Conclusion
I’d wish to be extra optimistic after thrashing a staff 6-1, however it’s going to be a complete totally different ball recreation. Boro afforded our again 4 on a regular basis on the planet on Tuesday, Villa is not going to be doing that.
We’re additionally liable to make errors and provides away foolish targets, however we will also be a real risk ourselves and our excessive press could be equally as harmful.
In fact we are able to beat them, and if each single participant places in a high quality efficiency then I feel now we have a good likelihood. However I’m not absolutely there but with the boldness I’m afraid.
