ASTON VILLA welcome Chelsea to the West Midlands as the sides play their final match of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign.
Villa have enjoyed a superb season under Dean Smith and are comfortably in mid-table, beating Spurs 2-1 last time out.
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
While Chelsea still have everything to play, with the Blues looking to cement their place in the top four.
When is Aston Villa vs Chelsea?
- This Premier League clash is all set for Sunday, May 23.
- All 10 matches will kick-off at 4pm BST.
- Villa will have 10,000 fans in the stands cheering them on as coronavirus restrictions continue to ease.
Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
You can catch this game live on Sky Sports Action.
Coverage will begin at 3.45pm.
If you're not a Sky subscriber, you can grab a NOW TV pass to watch on your mobile, tablet or PC from £9.99.
⚽️ ⚽️ CHELSEA TRANSFERNEWS ⚽️⚽️
? HARRY'S GAME Chelsea hunt Spurs star Kane
? DOUBLE BLOW Two stars want to QUIT Blues
? ITALIAN JOB Shock move for Serie A star
What is the team news?
N'Golo Kante looks set to miss out for Chelsea after limping off against Leicester.
With the Champions League final coming up, Tuchel might choose not to risk the Frenchman in midfield.
Kai Havertz and Andreas Christensen are both game-time decisions.
Ross Barkley is unable to face his parent club for Villa, while Matty Cash and Morgan Sanson remain out.
Match odds
- Aston Villa to win – 11/2
- Draw – 7/2
- Chelsea to get three points – 4/9
*All odds from Paddy Power and correct at time of publication.
- Joshua Mbu
THE TEAMSHEETS ARE IN!
- Joshua Mbu
'ALL-IN AGAINST ASTON VILLA'
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has insisted that his side will be "all-in" against Aston Villa.
Tuchel referenced their last league game, which saw them defeat top four rivals Leicester at Stamford Bridge – and he wants the same energy for today to seal the deal.
He said: "It’s better now just to think about Aston Villa and hope for a bit of luck, and take all the risks that we can only take.
"There will be no players rested, no players on the bench. It was all-in against Leicester, and it is all-in against Aston Villa."
Credit: GETTY IMAGES - Joshua Mbu
WELCOME BACK
Aston Villa are welcoming fans back to Villa Park today!
- Joshua Mbu
TABLE CHECK
There's still a lot to play for today, and the game at Villa Park is one to keep an eye on.
A win for Chelsea secures their place inside the top four.
But if they fail to secure three points and both Liverpool and Leicester win, Chelsea drop out of the top four.
Elsewhere, West Ham can secure a 6th placed finish as long as they don't lose.
The new Europa Conference League is up for grabs.
And Sergio Aguero will play his final Premier League game for Man City today, and they will lift the title.
- Joshua Mbu
AWAY DAYS
Chelsea have won their last three Premier League away games against Aston Villa, last winning four in a row at Villa Park between 1995 and 1999.
- Joshua Mbu
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Aston Villa have lost 10 of their last 12 Premier League meetings with Chelsea (W1 D1), though they did get a draw in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge this season.
Aston Villa haven’t won their final league game in any of the last nine campaigns, since beating Liverpool 1-0 in 2010-11.
However, the Villans are unbeaten when facing Chelsea in their last game (W3 D1), most recently winning 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on the closing day of the 2001-02 season.
- Joshua Mbu
GOOD AFTERNOON
And welcome to the live blog for Aston Villa vs Chelsea!
It's the final day of the 2020/21 Premier League season and there's still plenty to play for.
Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea know that a victory at Villa Park today secures their place inside the top four.
But if the Blues are shocked by Dean Smith's Villans, they could find themselves out of the top four if both Liverpool and Leicester City win.
No matter what the result is this afternoon, Aston Villa will finish 11th in the league – a massive improvement on last seasons 17th placed finish.
In terms of team news, Ross Barkley will not play a part this afternoon as he cannot play against his parent club.
And right-back Matty Cash will miss out for the home side.
Jack Grealish could start after returning from injury in recent weeks – England boss Gareth Southgate will be hoping he doesn't pick up another injury ahead of the Euros.
As for Chelsea, N'golo Kante won't be risked after coming off early in the win against Leicester.
And with the Champions League final just around the corner, Tuchel won't want to risk his midfield engine.
Mateo Kovacic will most likely step up and start for the Blues today.
Andreas Christensen and Kai Havertz are also doubts and are not worth risking.
The teamsheets are released in half an hour, so don't go anywhere!
Source: Read Full Article
