Aston Villa are in home Premier League action for the penultimate time this season as Unai Emery’s men host UEFA Europa League chasers Chelsea on Saturday evening.
The Villans head into the clash refreshed after two days off at the start of the week and without any midweek fixture. The rest was certainly needed after going the distance in Lille and battling to win 3-1 from behind against AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
Every fixture from now until the season's end is vital; this certainly isn’t an exception. With Tottenham Hotspur facing bitter foes Arsenal on Super Sunday, there’s an excellent opportunity for Villa to soar nine points clear of their Champions League rivals before a ball is even kicked in North London.
Spurs do of course have two games in hand before the weekend kicks off but the psychological advantage of moving nine clear would be huge. A win against Chelsea is needed first, though, and that’s certainly easier said than done.
The Blues were dispatched 5-0 away at Arsenal last time out but Mauricio Pochettino’s men had been on a brilliant run before that, with three wins and two draws in their previous five league outings. One of those results was a huge 6-0 victory over Everton as Cole Palmer scored four.
Chelsea’s top scorer Palmer is back this weekend after missing the defeat at Arsenal through illness – a huge boost for the visitors and an intimidating blow for the Villans. Nonetheless, a rammed Villa Park is bound to get behind their side as the so-called ‘12th’ man.
Including the benching of an out-of-form defender and the return of a key midfielder, here’s the lineup we predict Emery will name under the lights on Saturday.
1. GK - Emi Martinez
Martinez was the penalty shoot-out hero in Europe and he’s carried that form into the Premier League. He truly is one of the world’s best – if not the best. | Getty Images
2. RB - Ezri Konsa
Konsa could move across to right-back as Matty Cash, albeit a goalscoring hero in Europe, has been woeful defensively recently. | Getty Images
3. CB - Diego Carlos
Carlos is well rested from not playing in Lille and then only featuring off the bench last time out. He will likely start if Konsa does indeed change role. | Getty Images
4. CB - Pau Torres
Pau has been excellent this campaign, with very few poor showings. The Spaniard will be key to Villa holding to their top-four spot if they can. | Getty Images