SportFootballVilla look to move within a point of the Blues as both sides hunt Champions League qualification<\/p>\n
Team are upset at the moment by form – MarescaAston Villa take on Chelsea in the Premier League in today\u2019s late kick-off, with both sides looking to consolidate their bids for European football next season.<\/p>\n
Villa\u2019s midweek draw with Liverpool means that they entered the weekend in ninth, but only five points behind fourth-placed Manchester City. <\/p>\n
And they face a Chelsea side who have stuttered in recent weeks to fall from second to sixth. <\/p>\n
The Blues still have the advantage in the race for the top four \u2013 as they sit just a point below City \u2013 but the lead over Villa could be cut to just a point if they were to lose, with Enzo Maresca\u2019s side in danger of falling out of the race on current form. <\/p>\n
Follow all the updates from Villa Park here: <\/p>\n
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea25 mins<\/p>\n
Villa win a free-kick in a dangerous area after Caicedo clips Rogers. <\/p>\n
It\u2019ll be Asensio to swing it in \u2013 but someone is offside and the chance goes begging. <\/p>\n
Chris Wilson22 February 2025 17:56<\/p>\n
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea22 mins<\/p>\n
Another chance for Watkins, as Villa work it from the left before it comes to the striker near the centre of the box, but Cucurella blocks his shot brilliantly. <\/p>\n
Chris Wilson22 February 2025 17:53<\/p>\n
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea20 mins<\/p>\n
Another chance, but this time it\u2019s Villa\u2019s first of the match as the ball is swept forward before it\u2019s laid off to Watkins in the box. The angle is tight and his low strike forces a save from Jorgensen at the near post. <\/p>\n
Chris Wilson22 February 2025 17:52<\/p>\n
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea17 mins<\/p>\n
Another chance for Chelsea as Palmer swings in a great diagonal cross that Nkunku nods on, but Fernandez can\u2019t get a touch on it at the back post. <\/p>\n
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea14 mins<\/p>\n
Plenty of frustration among the home crowd, as their side really haven\u2019t got going yet.<\/p>\n
They have enjoyed a little more sustained possession over the last few minutes though. <\/p>\n
Chris Wilson22 February 2025 17:47<\/p>\n
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea12 mins<\/p>\n
Despite Sky\u2019s team graphic, it looks like Reece James is actually playing in defensive midfield, with Palmer on the right and Enzo Fernandez playing in attacking midfield behind Nkunku. That decision has certainly paid off early on for Maresca. <\/p>\n
Chris Wilson22 February 2025 17:43<\/p>\n
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea11 mins<\/p>\n
Another chance for Chelsea is ended after a brilliant last-second intervention from Mings, who pokes the ball away from Nkunku as he was about to shoot. <\/p>\n
Chris Wilson22 February 2025 17:43<\/p>\n
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea9 mins<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been all Chelsea and they have their early reward!<\/p>\n
Neto picks the ball up near halfway and he surges into the box, beating Maatsen before firing in a ball across goal that gives Enzo Fernandez an easy tap-in into an open net!<\/p>\n
(Getty Images)Chris Wilson22 February 2025 17:41<\/p>\n
Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea7 mins<\/p>\n
Chalobah is down briefly as he receives treatment. He\u2019ll be unable to carry on, and he\u2019s replaced by Tosin. <\/p>\n
Chris Wilson22 February 2025 17:39<\/p>\n
Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea5 mins<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been all Chelsea so far, with the visitors almost working another shooting chance in the Villa box.<\/p>\n
A positive start from Enzo Maresca\u2019s side. <\/p>\n
Chris Wilson22 February 2025 17:37<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SportFootballVilla look to move within a point of the Blues as both sides hunt Champions League qualification Team are upset at the moment by form – MarescaAston Villa take on Chelsea in the Premier League in today\u2019s late kick-off, with both sides looking to consolidate their bids for European football next season. Villa\u2019s midweek draw […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n