Chelsea vs Aston Villa LIVE: Latest score and updates as two Premier League top four contenders clash | OneFootball

Moises Caicedo has found form this season for Chelsea (AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea host Aston Villa in the Premier League this afternoon, with the Blues looking to climb the table ahead of Manchester City‘s crunch clash with Liverpool later.

Enzo Maresca’s side have continued their resurgence after the international break, with a 2-1 win over the Italian’s old club, Leicester City, before an easy 2-0 win over Heidenheim in the Conference League. Results yesterday have dropped them into fifth but a big win today could leave them as Liverpool’s closest challengers, with upcoming fixtures including Brentford, Spurs and Southampton.

Unai Emery’s side have had a far more turbulent few weeks, and are without a win in seven games off the back of recent draws with Juventus and Crystal Palace. However, though they find themselves in ninth, they are only three points behind today’s opponents and will fancy their chances of a morale-boosting result in London.

Follow all of the latest from Stamford Bridge in our live blog below:

Chelsea vs Aston Villa LIVE

KICK-OFF! Chelsea 0-0 Aston Villa

The away side get us underway in the capital.

Chris Wilson1 December 2024 13:31

Chelsea vs Aston Villa LIVE

Both sides are emerging from the tunnel at Stamford Bridge, and we’re just a few minutes away from kick-off.

Chris Wilson1 December 2024 13:26

Chelsea vs Aston Villa LIVE

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Chris Wilson1 December 2024 13:23

Match facts

Villa are winless in their last four Premier League games (D2 L2). They last went five without a win between May and August 2022, while they last did so in the same season in March/April 2022 (both runs under Steven Gerrard).

They have scored both a league high total (6) and share (32%) of their Premier League goals via headers this season. As it stands, it’s their highest share of headed goals in a single top-flight campaign since 2001-02 (33% - 15/46).

Ollie Watkins has scored in his last two Premier League away games against Chelsea, with both ending up being the winning goal in the match. No visiting player has ever scored three match-winning goals at Stamford Bridge in the competition.

Chris Wilson1 December 2024 13:20

Emery: “We have to try to use our experiences to try to get better”

Speaking in his own pre-match conference, Villa boss Unai Emery said that his side have “won two times and we’ve drawn in the cup but now it is a different match”.

“A different match, different players and different coach of them. They are feeling comfortable, they are performing consistently and getting better and the challenge is this Sunday.

“We are not thinking about it [recent performances]. We are getting experiences playing in Europe and the Premier League and we have to try to use our experiences to try to get better.”

Chris Wilson1 December 2024 13:10

Match facts

Chelsea are winless in their last three Premier League meetings with Aston Villa (D1 L2), last having a longer such run against them between February 2006 and December 2007 (5).

Aston Villa have won their last two Premier League away games against Chelsea, as many as in their previous 21 visits to Stamford Bridge (D4 L15). They last won three consecutive away league games against the Blues between 1930 and 1933.

Chris Wilson1 December 2024 13:05

Maresca: Chelsea not in the title race

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Enzo Maresca simply replied “no” when asked if his side were in the title race.

“I said many times - I didn’t like the pressure. I didn’t like to say yes we are there, but we are not there.

“Arsenal are ahead of us, [Manchester] City is ahead of us, Liverpool showing they are ahead of us. The important thing is we improve game after game and then we will see.

“For me, it is not about points or the table, it is about the process and the programme. Five years together [Arsenal], nine together [Man City]... Liverpool is different but they didn’t make too many changes from before. [It’s] not about the points difference on the table, it is about the time together.”

The Italian added that it is good to see his team improving, but “at the same time, you have to be realistic”.

“You can see the difference between us and the rest in this moment. It doesn’t mean we are not going to compete and win games. We will do that to the end. The main focus has to be the feeling we are improving game after game.”

Chris Wilson1 December 2024 13:00

Today’s other Premier League matches

There are two more 1.30pm kick-offs today, with Manchester United taking on Everton at Old Trafford and Tottenham facing Fulham,

Of course, 4pm sees the big clash at the top of the table, with Liverpool hosting Manchester City.

Chris Wilson