09 September 2021, 16:47 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The English Premier League fixture, Chelsea F.C. vs. Aston Villa F.C. kicks off at 17:30 (GMT+1) on Saturday, September 11 at Stamford Bridge.
Preview Chelsea Premier League, Sep 11, 2021
Preview Ten-men Chelsea put up a spirited performance to secure a point after holding Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Matchday 3. Kai Havertz (22') gave the Blues the lead mid-way through the first half with a remarkable reverse header over Alisson Becker and into goal. The Blues were looking promising for the second goal until they were reduced to 10-men at the stroke of half-time. Reece James (R. 45') was given the marching orders for preventing a goal-bound effort with a well-disguised wayward arm. With the help of the VAR, Mohamed Salah (45'+5 P.) converted the following penalty after sending Mendy diving the wrong way. Tuchel made the required changes to cushion Liverpool's numerical advantage over the Blues, and it saw Chelsea's chances reduced to few and far-between. However, the blue line held firm until the final whistle. The draw was the first of its kind this season for Chelsea after three games: WWD. It leaves the Blues with 7 points and in 4th place after 2W, 1D & 0L. A victory on Saturday could see Chelsea inside the top-three, - considering favorable results from other fixtures on Matchday 4. An attacking 3—4—2—1 formation is expected from Tuchel with Romelu Lukaku at the top of the shape. Chelsea completed a deadline-day loan deal with Atletico Madrid to secure the services of Saúl Ñíguez. Reece James is suspended for this game after the red card in the game against Liverpool, while Thiago Silva will be unavailable due to quarantine measures. Chelsea will host F.C. Zenit in the UEFA Champions League opener scheduled for Tuesday, the 14th of September.
Preview Aston Villa Premier League, Sep 11, 2021
Preview Aston Villa picked up a 1-1 draw against Brentford on the third day of the English Premier League at Villa Park. Ivan Toney (7') gave the visitors the lead seven minutes into the game in what happened to be his first-ever Premier League goal. But shortly after the opening goal, Emi Buendía (13') levelled the scoreline with a remarkable effort from 18 yards. The draw leaves Aston Villa in 11th place in the English Premier League after 1W, 1D, & 1L, which translates to the form: LWD. Manager Dean Smith expects an excellent performance against Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge Stadium on Saturday. A victory over the Blues looks like a tall order, but a point could stop the Lions from slipping further down the Premier League table. A 4—3—3 formation with the attacking trio of Anwar El Ghazi, Danny Ings, and Emi Buendía is expected. The Egyptian international, Trézéguet is ruled out of this fixture as he is sidelined with a knee injury alongside the centre-forward, Keinan Davis.