Aston Villa play host to Chelsea on Wednesday evening in a potentially-pivotal match in the race for a top-five finish in the Premier League table.
There is currently a six-point gap between the fourth and sixth-placed teams in the English top-flight standings, and who are fighting for Champions League qualification.
However, Aston Villa have won just one of their last five Premier League fixtures, while Unai Emery also witnessed his team lose 2-0 at bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday night.
As for Chelsea, they are without a win in three league fixtures, losing their last outing to leaders Arsenal by a 2-1 scoreline, and Liam Rosenior's side now sit just two points above Brentford in seventh position.
How the bookies see it: Villa, Chelsea cannot be split
Depending on what bookmakers you pick, you will either see Aston Villa or Chelsea as the marginal favourite.
Bet365 are surprisingly offering Villa as the slight outsider at 7/4, with Chelsea priced at 6/4, but those prices are reversed if you look elsewhere.
With most bookmakers, the draw is priced at either 5/2 or 12/5.
Head to head: Villa had better of recent Chelsea games
Across the last eight encounters between these teams, Villa have emerged victorious on four occasions, losing just twice.
In the two fixtures played in the Premier League during 2025, Villa won by 2-1 scorelines. On both occasions, they launched second-half comebacks after being behind at half time.
Villa are unbeaten in the last two Premier League head-to-heads in the West Midlands, yet Chelsea do have a win in the FA Cup at Villa Park as recently as February 2024.
This will be the 170th meeting between the two clubs. Chelsea have won 70 times in comparison to 62 victories for Villa, while there have been 37 draws.
Player to watch: Abraham to haunt former club?
Tammy Abraham may be considered for a start ahead of Ollie Watkins for this game, the former Chelsea forward having impressed since his return to Villa.
He had scored in successive games against Newcastle United and Leeds United before being restricted to a substitute outing versus Wolves.
Abraham is priced around 6/4 to score anytime, while Morgan Rogers to provide a goal or assist at 21/20 with Bet365 – despite his recent poor return – may be viewed as too attractive to turn down.
The same betting odds apply to Joao Pedro, who has 11 goals and four assists from his 28 Premier League appearances this season.
Probable lineups:
Both teams are expected to make changes for this contest. As well as Abraham potentially replacing Watkins, Tyrone Mings and Ian Maatsen could return to Emery's backline.
Pedro Neto is missing for Chelsea as he serves a one-match ban for his red card against Arsenal.
With Cole Palmer's fitness still being managed, he could drop out of the side as well. That could leave Liam Delap and Alejandro Garnacho to play on the flanks.
Wesley Fofana will likely return from suspension to take Mamadou Sarr's spot in the middle of the backline.
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Onana, Luiz; Sancho, Rogers, Buendia, Abraham
Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; Caicedo, Santos; Delap, Fernandez, Garnacho; Pedro
Anything else catch the eye?
Despite their recent struggles in Premier League home fixtures, Villa have only conceded three goals in four such matches.
While Chelsea are struggling for wide options for this contest, they have scored in 26 of their 28 Premier League matches during 2025-26.
Villa have recorded back-to-back 2-1 victories over Chelsea in the Premier League. That scoreline is available at 11/1.
Across the last 10 games, Chelsea have only kept two clean sheets. They have been against Champions League minnows Pafos and Championship club Hull City.
Interested in why both teams scoring is such a strong angle? Check out our Masterclass on BTTS and sharpen your match-reading game.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea Betting Tips & Predictions
Further Reading
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace Prediction and Betting Tips
- Fulham vs West Ham United Prediction and Betting Tips
- Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Prediction and Betting Tips
- Newcastle United vs Manchester United Prediction and Betting Tips
- Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest Prediction and Betting Tips
GambleAware