NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 20: Reece James of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park on December 20, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Chelsea faces a crucial test of their top-four ambitions as they host a strong Aston Villa team today.
Aston Villa has shown inconsistency this season, demonstrating both impressive play and defensive errors. With the manager’s touchline ban approaching, Chelsea needs to step up and find on-field leadership to end Villa’s winning streak.
A win would be a significant boost for Chelsea, especially with a seven-point gap between the two teams. A loss, however, could put them further behind the top three as they head into the New Year. The pressure is high for Chelsea to perform well at Stamford Bridge.
The manager has confirmed that both Liam Delap and Estêvão Willian are back in full training and available for selection. Delap’s return is important after missing the last four games due to a shoulder injury, while Estêvão will add more flair on the wing after recovering from a muscle issue. In addition, Jamie Gittens is fit to play following a minor shoulder problem that kept him out of the previous match.
On the defensive side, Chelsea faces challenges. Defender Jorrel Hato is out due to an injury sustained in the warm-up against Newcastle, joining long-term absentee Levi Colwill. Midfielder Cole Palmer, who played 79 minutes in the recent draw with Newcastle, is ready to play a full match as he continues to regain his fitness.
Chelsea predicted XI: Sánchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernández, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; João Pedro
The Premier League match is set for Saturday, 27 December 2025, at Stamford Bridge, with kick-off at 17:30 GMT.
In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage beginning at 17:00 GMT.
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