Aston Villa-Chelsea is a match for the 11th day of the Premier League and will be played on Sunday at 15:00: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
ASTON VILLA – CHELSEA | Sunday 3pm
Yes, the Potter cure is working. And how it works. It can be said without any fear of contradiction after Chelsea’s four wins in a row in the league and Champions League. The former Brighton coach, recruited in mid-September after the unexpected dismissal of Thomas Tuchel, has succeeded in giving the Blues the turnaround demanded and hoped for by the new US ownership of the London club, sweeping away in a short time the doubts of the public regarding his ability to lead a top team, having never done so in the past. Potter, who has been in charge for five games, is still unbeaten: he debuted with a home draw against Salzburg in the cup, but has not stopped since. A comeback victory in the derby against Crystal Palace was followed by wins against AC Milan – beaten 3-0 in London and 0-2 at the San Siro – and Wolverhampton, to whom Azpilicueta and his team-mates handed a 3-0 thrashing in the last Premier League round.
Although having to do without the invaluable Kanté – the French midfielder might only return in 2023 – the new coach found certainties right from the start, especially in his own half of the pitch. The Blues, in fact, have not conceded a goal for three consecutive games. And things are definitely looking up in the standings: in the league, Chelsea are currently fourth (with one match to spare) and lead their Champions League group with seven points. The positive series should also continue at home to Aston Villa, who in nine matches have barely picked up nine points and are floating above the relegation zone. Steven Gerrard continues to be in question: his Villans are latent in terms of the game and score with the dropper (second worst attack in the tournament) but he comes from four useful results – three draws with Manchester City, Leeds and Nottingham Forest and a narrow victory against Southampton – which have allowed the former Liverpool flag to distance, for now, the spectre of exoneration.
The Prediction
Cup fatigue could affect Chelsea’s performance but a positive result for the Blues at Villa Park remains highly likely. You can put your faith in Potter’s men, who are slight favourites in a match with at least two goals overall.
The likely Aston Villa-Chelsea line-ups
- ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Young; McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey; Buendia, Watkins, Coutinho.
- CHELSEA (3-4-2-1): Kepa; Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Chilwell; Mount, Pulisic; Aubameyang.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
