Aston Villa vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups ahead of crucial top-four clash | OneFootball

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Team are upset at the moment by form - Maresca

Aston Villa take on Chelsea in the Premier League in today’s late kick-off, with both sides looking to consolidate their bids for European football next season.

Villa’s midweek draw with Liverpool means that they entered the weekend in ninth, but only five points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.

And they face a Chelsea side who have stuttered in recent weeks to fall from second to sixth.

The Blues still have the advantage in the race for the top four – as they sit just a point below City – but the lead over Villa could be cut to just a point if they were to lose, with Enzo Maresca’s side in danger of falling out of the race on current form.

Watkins: Villa goals will flow with Rashford and Asensio

Ollie Watkins believes the arrival of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio to Aston Villa will pay big dividends.

Watkins scored his 12th Premier League goal of the season in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool – a game in which Rashford and Asensio made their first starts, after arriving in January.

The pair have added an extra dimension to Villa’s attack in recent matches and Watkins is looking forward to cashing in.

“It is nice playing with quality players and I am sure in the future games I will get more opportunities,” he said after the match.

“They haven’t had that long to show what they can do and they are still finding their feet.

“When they get a few games under their belt I am sure it will flow and connect together nicely.”

Jamie Braidwood22 February 2025 15:25

Unai Emery says Aston Villa not doing 'enough' to get top four

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery enjoyed his side’s performance in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Wednesday but accepted that inconsistency could cost them in their pursuit if Champions League qualification.

“We competed very well, but we are in the process, we want to get stronger in the Premier League, even playing against some teams who are better than us,” Emery said.

“Liverpool is the best team in the Premier League and Champions League but we competed. We were close to get the victory, but I think the result was fair for both teams because they had chances, and we had chances at the end of the match.

“I have to accept it, this draw is adding one point in the table, not being enough, but we have to keep going, positively as well, improving with the players that joined us.”