Chelsea are preparing to host Aston Villa on Sunday in what promises to be a crucial encounter in the race for Champions League qualification. Premier League legend Alan Shearer has weighed in on how he expects the match to unfold, providing insights into the potential outcomes.
Currently sitting in fourth place, Chelsea have had a steady start to the season and are in a strong position to secure European football. However, the race remains fiercely competitive, with Aston Villa trailing just three points behind in eighth place.
Adding to the intrigue, Villa have enjoyed success in recent visits to Stamford Bridge, having won their last two matches at the venue.
Chelsea head into this game with renewed confidence after ending a difficult spell with a vital win against Leicester City. Before that result, the Blues had struggled, managing only one victory in their previous five Premier League outings.
Manager Enzo Maresca will be encouraged by the expected returns of Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto, both of whom missed the Leicester game due to injuries. Their availability could prove pivotal as Chelsea aim to build on their recent momentum.
The Blues have lost just twice in their first 12 league matches and have the opportunity to climb as high as second place in the standings, depending on the outcome of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City.
On the other hand, Aston Villa are eager to reverse their fortunes after a challenging run. They have not won a Premier League match since October 19 and will hope to deliver a strong performance to break their streak of poor form.
Reflecting on the match, Alan Shearer shared his views with The Metro. He highlighted Chelsea’s improving form and Villa’s recent struggles:
“Aston Villa are going through a tough patch at the moment. They were unlucky in their game against Juventus, but Chelsea seem to be gathering momentum. I think Chelsea will take this one. My prediction: a Chelsea win.”
Sunday’s game also signals the beginning of a demanding week for Chelsea, who face back-to-back away fixtures against Southampton on Wednesday and Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. With these matches on the horizon, securing three points against Villa will be crucial to maintaining their position in the top four and keeping their Champions League aspirations on track.
The stakes are high for both teams, and the encounter promises to be a closely contested affair as Chelsea aim to capitalize on their recent upswing and Villa look to regain their footing in the league.
