Aston Villa vs Chelsea preview, team news, stats, predictions

Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Aston Villa vs Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports (kick-off 4pm).

Team news

Ross Barkley has played the final game of his Aston Villa loan spell as he is ineligible to face parent club Chelsea.

The midfielder has struggled for consistency this season and has made only 18 Premier League starts.

Matt Cash (hamstring) and Morgan Sanson (knee) remain out for Dean Smith's side while Trezeguet is not expected to return until next season as he recovers from a serious knee injury.

Chelsea will hand late fitness tests to Kai Havertz and N'Golo Kante. Havertz has battled a muscle issue, while Kante is dealing with a hamstring concern.

Andreas Christensen will return after a leg tendon complaint.

Race for Europe - the permutations

Even after their win over Leicester on Tuesday night, Chelsea still require a victory at Aston Villa on the final day to be certain of qualifying for the Champions League next season. Wins for Liverpool and Leicester on the final day and even a draw for Chelsea would send them into the Europa League instead.

In any case, Thomas Tuchel's team could still qualify for next season's Champions League by beating Man City in the final on May 29.

How to follow

Aston Villa vs Chelsea will be shown live on Sky Sports Action from 3.50pm; kick-off 4pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.

Jones Knows' prediction

This is by no means a gimme for Chelsea as they look to secure their top-four place by taking three points at Villa Park.

I would much rather be in Leicester's shoes and play Tottenham at home rather than Aston Villa away. When playing with confidence and at full strength, Villa have shown this season they are a team capable of mixing it towards the top end of the Premier League, as shown in their impressive win at Spurs in midweek.

Obviously, Jack Grealish makes a huge difference to their process. With him, their expected goals data has them as the seventh-best team in the league but without him, that process drops them to 14th. He really is vital.

Playing Chelsea is obviously a step up from beating Spurs but there is a significant bit of juice about getting them onside in this match, especially with Grealish returning to full throttle. The 13/8 with Sky Bet for a Villa win or draw certainly is tempting.

CORRECT SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1

BETTING ANGLE: Aston Villa to win or draw (13/8 with Sky Bet)

Last time out...

Opta stats

Pitch to Post Preview - The Premier League final day race for European football assessed

In the final Pitch to Post Preview Podcast of the Premier League season, we look ahead to the final day and debate which sides will come out on top in the race for European football.

From the three-way battle for two top-four places and Champions League football between Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester, to West Ham, Tottenham and Everton vying for a Europa League place, and Arsenal's chances of a Europa Conference League appearance, Sky Sports' Nick Wright and Oli Yew join Peter Smith to assess the various permutations - and make their predictions!

The panel also reflect on another Premier League title win for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City as they prepare to lift the trophy in front of their own fans on Sunday.