Two teams struggling for points, form, and in Chelsea’s case, motivation and confidence, are hoping to walk away with all three points here today. Can either side change the narrative?

If we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it with the same bunch that got us into this pickle, though perhaps with a few tactical tweaks. Enzo Maresca appears to have picked a back-three, with wingbacks? We’ll see how this shapes up. The bench, as has been the case of late, is full of youth.

Here we go!

Aston Villa starting XI:

Martínez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, McGinn (c), Tielemans, Asensio, Ramsey, Rogers, Watkins

Substitutes from: Olsen, Zych, Digne, García, Bogarde, Bailey, Malen, Rashford, Jimoh-Aloba

Chelsea starting lineup (3-4-3?)

Jörgensen | Colwill, Chalobah, James (c) | Cucurella, Enzo, Caicedo, Gusto | Nkunku, Palmer, Neto

Substitutes from: Sánchez, Acheampong, Samuels-Smith, Tosin, Dewsbury-Hall, Amougou, Sancho, George, Mheuka

Date / Time: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 17.30 GMT; 12:30pm EST; 11pm IST

Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham

Referee: Michael Oliver (on pitch); Paul Tierney (VAR)

On TV: Sky Sports Main Event (UK); NBC, Telemundo (USA); Star Sports Select HD1 (India); SuperSport Premier League, Canal+ Sport 3 (NGA); elsewhere

Streaming: Sky Go (UK); Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA); Disney+ Hotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)

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Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes!