Aston Villa v Chelsea: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Aston Villa are on course for a top-four finish in the Premier League and they are aiming to take another step towards Champions League qualification with a home win over Chelsea on Saturday night.

Aston Villa v Chelsea betting tips and predictions

Aston Villa to win & both teams to score - 12/5

Aston Villa fans are looking forward to an exciting end of the season as Unai Emery's men target Champions League qualification and Europa Conference League glory.

Villa appear to be back on track in the Premier League after a patchy run of form and they should be confident of banking another three points at home to troubled Chelsea.

Emery's men were outstanding in this month's 2-0 win at title-chasing Arsenal and they dug deep to see off Lille on penalties in last week's Conference League quarter-final second leg.

Villa then showed character and quality in the league last weekend, coming from behind to beat in-form Bournemouth 3-1 at Villa Park, where they have won 12 of their 17 matches this season.

The return of influential midfielder Douglas Luiz from suspension is a boost for Villa backers, although Chelsea hope to welcome back Golden Boot contender Cole Palmer, who missed Tuesday's 5-0 rout at Arsenal due to illness.

It has been a tough week for the Blues, whose lack of ruthlessness in front of goal cost them in Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.

The Chelsea defence was cut apart by Arsenal on Tuesday and they are unlikely to shut out a Villa side inspired by brilliant England striker OIlie Watkins.

However, the home side look less convincing at the back, conceding four goals in recent defeats to Tottenham and Manchester City and drawing 3-3 with Brentford at Villa Park on 6th April, so backing Villa to win and both teams to score could prove profitable.

Over 5.5 cards in match - 5/6

This is the fourth meeting of the season between Aston Villa and Chelsea, who won 3-1 at Villa Park in February's FA Cup fourth-round replay after a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.

However, the Blues were beaten 1-0 in September's reverse league fixture in which Chelsea's Malo Gusto was sent off and five other players were booked by referee Jarred Gillett.

The return of Villa enforcer Luiz, booked 10 times in 31 league starts this season, should add heat to the midfield battle and over 5.5 cards looks a solid bet.

The stakes are high for Villa as they bid to secure Champions League football next season, while injury-hit Chelsea will be desperate to show some fight after their midweek capitulation at Arsenal.

Nine players were booked in Villa's Conference League second leg away to Lille and Chelsea have racked up 49 yellow cards and one red in 16 away games in the top flight.   

Thiago Silva anytime goalscorer - 14/1

Aston Villa have looked vulnerable defending crosses into their penalty area this term and veteran Chelsea defender Thiago Silva merits a small bet to score on Saturday.

The hosts have conceded 14 goals from set-piece situations in the Premier League this season and goalkeeper Emi Martinez had to make a fine save to keep out a free header from Lille's Benjamin Andre in the first half of last week's clash in northern France.

Brazil legend Silva is an obvious target for any Chelsea corners and free-kicks and he has scored twice in his last four league starts, against Wolves and Sheffield United.  

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Aston Villa v Chelsea odds

Aston Villa - 6/5
Draw - 14/5
Chelsea - 2/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.