Pochettino to drop ST vs Villa and begin workhorse – Speak Chelsea

Having simply reached the ultimate of The League Cup, Chelsea are actually in motion within the second home cup on this nation, The FA Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino’s facet might be totally assured from thrashing Middlesbrough 6-1 on Tuesday night, and they’ll fancy themselves at residence this Friday towards Aston Villa within the FA Cup 4th spherical.

After all, Villa current a a lot more durable opposition than Boro did, however there’s a feeling that some issues are lastly beginning to click on for Pochettino. I’m cautious although, as a result of I’ve typed that a number of occasions earlier than this season just for us to then lose the subsequent sport together with a poor efficiency.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Chelsea vs Aston Villa is scheduled for a 7.45pm GMT kick-off time on Friday 26 January, 2024.
Stamford Bridge in London will host

The place to observe Chelsea vs Aston Villa

TV channel and reside stream: The sport is not going to be broadcast reside on TV within the UK.
I might be working the reside match day dialogue thread on the Substack App chat part although, so please do be a part of me there.

Present kind

Chelsea FA Cup kind:

W

Chelsea kind (all competitions):

WWWLWW

Aston Villa FA Cup kind:

W

Aston Villa kind (all competitions):

WDLWWD

As you’ll be able to see, Chelsea’s present kind within the final 5 video games is barely higher than Villa, however Villa at the moment sit 5 locations above Chelsea within the league and are 12 factors forward.
Villa have drawn with Everton and misplaced to Manchester United of their final 4 video games throughout all competitions.

Opposition scouting

Unai Emery is a supervisor who likes his groups to play soccer and on the entrance foot. Of their final sport towards Everton, a 0-0 draw, they bossed possession with 69% and had 16 makes an attempt on objective.

It was related of their 3-2 residence win towards Burnley, with 66% possession and 19 makes an attempt on objective.

Even away at Manchester United, a sport they misplaced 3-2, they nonetheless had 55% of the possession.

So it’s protected to say that they are going to be coming at Chelsea which may make for fairly an open sport, and in addition give this one the potential to be fairly excessive scoring as each groups play on the entrance foot and wish to have possession.

Emery will use a again 4 and look to Douglas Luiz to assist them boss it within the center. There might be a battle available there with the likes of Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez, and particular person battles may resolve this sport.

Up high they’re a menace with gamers like Ollie Watkins who has been in good kind, and so they have first rate tempo and depth within the excessive press. Chelsea usually battle to play out towards an intense press, so Pochettino will want to concentrate on that.

Face to face (h2h) historical past and outcomes

Chelsea wins: 68
Attracts: 35
Aston Villa wins: 60

Chelsea vs Aston Villa crew information

Pochettino has spoken to the media and Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku, while each again in coaching, is not going to make this sport. Needs to be accessible for subsequent week. No different injured gamers are anticipated again but, and there might be a late health check and evaluation to see if Ben Chilwell can begin or if he begins on the bench.

Villa could possibly name on Pau Torres and Jacob Ramsey for the sport, though Lucas Digne, Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia are out long-term.

Predicted Lineup

I believe Conor Gallagher might be recalled and Armando Broja comes out for Cole Palmer to play because the false 9, identical to we ended the Boro sport doing.

Pochettino was clearly sad with Mykhailo Mudryk on Tuesday so I believe he may come out of the beginning Xl for Noni Madueke.
The again 4 had been good on Tuesday and are more likely to return as the identical again 4 on Friday, as Gusto is deemed not match sufficient to be concerned.
Chilwell If he’s deemed match enought to start out, will begin.

Rating prediction

I’m going for Chelsea 2 Aston Villa 3 (sorry).

We all know they’ll be a really powerful facet to play towards and can are available in and attempt to be on the entrance foot.

I believe it has the potential to be excessive scoring and fairly wild, which is why I’ve gone for this rating prediction. I can see us scuffling with the strain of the excessive press and the house crowd then getting irate.

Odds

Chelsea – 11/10
Draw – 12/5
Villa – 23/10
Each groups to attain YES – 3/5

*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and proper at time of publication.

Conclusion

I’d wish to be extra optimistic after thrashing a crew 6-1, nevertheless it’s going to be an entire totally different ball sport. Boro afforded our again 4 on a regular basis on the earth on Tuesday, Villa is not going to be doing that.

We’re additionally liable to make errors and provides away foolish objectives, however we will also be a real menace ourselves and our excessive press could be equally as harmful.

After all we are able to beat them, and if each single participant places in a high quality efficiency then I believe now we have an honest likelihood. However I’m not totally there but with the boldness I’m afraid.