Aston Villa vs Chelsea: Match preview, team news, prediction & where to watch

Chelsea visit Villa Park on Boxing Day to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Boxing Day, with Thomas Tuchel's men aiming to get back to winning ways on the road.

The Blues have failed to win each of their last matches away from Stamford Bridge and face a Villa team who have scored in every home league game they have contested this term.

Ahead of the game, GOAL brings you everything you need to know, including how to watch, team news, odds and more.

GameAston Villa vs ChelseaDate26/12/21Kick-off time5.30pm GMT

Sky Sports is showing Aston Villa vs Chelsea live on TV in the United Kingdom (UK) and the game can also be streamed live online using Sky Go.

UK TV channelUK online streamSky SportsSky Go

PositionPlayersGoalkeepersMartinez, SinisaloDefendersTargett, Konsa, Mings, Young, Tuanzebe, HauseMidfieldersCash, Luiz, McGinn, Chukwuemeka, Tregezuet, Ramsey, BuendiaForwardsWatkins, Traore, Ings, Archer

Villa have Marvelous Nakamba, Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore missing through injury, while Steven Gerrard has not disclosed how many could be missing through coronavirus.

Predicted Aston Villa starting XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey, Buendia, Watkins, Young

PositionPlayersGoalkeepersKepa, Mendy, BettinelliDefendersRudiger, Alonso, Silva, Christensen, Azpilicueta, James, MidfieldersJorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Pulisic, Chalobah, Mount, BarkleyForwardsLukaku, Havertz, Werner, Hudson-Odoi

There are plenty of doubts over the Chelsea team given how many players have been affected by coronavirus. Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi could return having recovered from the illness, although Kai Havertz remains a major doubt.

Predicted Chelsea starting XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Silva, Rudgier, James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Kante, Mount, Pulisic

Chelsea is favourite to beat Aston Villa at 13/20 with bet365. At 17/4 to win, Aston Villa are considered clear outsiders.

Mason Mount is priced at 9/2 to be first goalscorer, while Danny Ings is rated at 7/1.

Both teams to score has paid out in five of the last seven home league matches at Villa Park and a repeat can be backed at 19/20.

Aston Villa last five resultsChelsea last five results Norwich City 0-2 Aston Villa (14/12/21)Brentford 0-2 Chelsea (22/12/21)Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa (11/12/21)Wolves 0-0 Chelsea (19/12/21)Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester (5/12/21)Chelsea 1-1 Everton (16/12/21)Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City (1/12/21)Chelsea 3-2 Leeds (11/12/21)Crystal Palace 1-2 Aston Villa (8/12/21)Zenit St Petersburg 3-3 Chelsea (8/12/21)

An outbreak of coronavirus in the squad has hit the Blues hard, with Thomas Tuchel unable to call upon a number of key players. Chelsea have won just one of their last four league matches but their EFL Cup victory in midweek against Brentford showed they still have the capacity to claim important results.

Villa, meanwhile, boast an excellent scoring record in front of their own fans having netted in every home Premier League match this season and the hosts will be confident of keeping that run going.

Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+. Please gamble responsibly.