Premier League: Gerrard’s chance for Redemption!

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

Steven Gerrard’s journey as a Premier League manager continues on Boxing Day when Chelsea are the visitors to Birmingham, to take on his Aston Villa.

It’s a game the former Liverpool star will relish, as Chelsea are the team who beat the Reds when his infamous slip cost his side a huge game when the league title was in their grasp. There are few teams in world football that Gerrard would rather beat! The Blues come into their game third in the league table, six points behind leaders Manchester City while a bright start from Villa’s recently arrived boss has led his side into the top half.   

Last week the Villains had their game against Burnley called off just two hours before the game was due to be played, while Chelsea’s request to the Premier League was declined and they struggled to a goalless draw with Wolves.

Covid among players continues to interrupt the Christmas schedule; but there’s still plenty of action throughout Europe, and the SBOTOP football teamwill be here to bring you the Premier League 2021 updates as they happen. This clash promises to be a fascinating encounter so let’s take a look at the two clubs and make a call.

Talking Points

Can Villa mix it with the big boys?

Since arriving at Villa Park, when the club was on a run of five consecutive losses, Gerrard has led Villa to four victories, over Norwich, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Brighton, interrupted only by narrow defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool. Now he has the chance to pitch himself at another of the Big Three so will it be third time lucky?

As a player Gerrard was a leader, an imposing box to box midfielder who could inspire others or win a game himself, and as a coach he can use these talents to drive lesser mortals onto greater heights. Since the departure of Jack Grealish to Manchester City, Vila don’t have a world class star but they have plenty of Premier League quality. Ollie Watkins, with five goals from 15 games, is turning into a dangerous top flight striker, while midfield maestro John McGinn has always had enough in his locker to beat defenders and whip in a deadly ball. Ex Manchester United and Inter Milan winger, Ashley Young, provides some experience, but Villa are likely to be without the livewire Emiliano Buendia who is doubtful with injury.

Chelsea need a Boxing Day pick up

The Blues have stuttered a little recently, but they are unbeaten in five games and if you look back to this time last year, they are in a much better place. In December 2020 Chelsea were tenth with 26 points and now they are third with 38 points. And since his arrival, Thomas Tuchel has led them to the summit of European football, winning the Champions League in May. But two draws, against Everton and Wolves, have seen the Blues slip off the furious pace set by Manchester City and Liverpool, and they have three points to make up on the second placed Reds. January could be crucial as Chelsea are scheduled to play both of the teams above them in the opening weeks of 2022.    

The Blues will come into the game with confidence after a 2-0 win over Brentford in the EFL Cup has taken them to the semi-finals of the first cup competition of the campaign, and they safely navigated their group in the Champions League. And Mason Mount is in the form of his life with seven goals and four assists in the league, and he could be crucial with several of Chelsea’s players recovering from COVID; so it is uncertain who will line-up for the Blues. But with Manchester City in scintillating form and likely to win their Boxing Day bout against Leicester, this is a game Chelsea must try to dominate. 

History

Chelsea have won 30 of their 56 encounters with Aston Villa, in the Premier League era, losing 13 and drawing 13.

When the two sides met, in the EFL Cup third round in September, Chelsea triumphed 4-3, only a week and a half after they had met in the league; that time Tuchel’s men won 3-0 as Lukaku scored twice for the Blues.

Aston Villa did win the last meeting at Villa Park, 2-1, when the two teams met at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.  

The Blues have been strong away from home this term; winning six, drawing two and losing just once   

Betting Tip

	Aston Villa vs Chelsea	1X2 Draw @ 3.50
	December 27, 01:30 (GMT+8)

The Aston Villa vs Chelsea betting odds are backing the Blues at 1.65, while Villa are out at 5.03 to grab all three points The most likely score-line is a single goal with for Chelsea at odds of 5.22; but, with Chelsea uncertain who will be fit to play, I favour a 1-1 draw at a slightly longer price of 6.37.

 

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