Event details:
NAME: Aston
Villa – Chelsea
DATE: 23 May
2021
TIME: 15:00 UTC
VENUE: Villa
Park, Birmingham, England
It likely the France midfielder will sit this one out anyway, especially with Mateo Kovacic restored to fitness.
Equally, Thiago Silva won every challenge he entered in midweek, but that was the 36-year-old’s third start in seven days and Christensen will be eager to show his worth. If results appear to be going the right way, Tammy Abraham and Scotland Euro 2020 squad member Billy Gilmour will be among those pressing for minutes.
There could even be a reward for
fellow Academy graduates Tino Anjorin, a strong and skilful attacking
midfielder, and attacking wing-back Tino Livramento, who have regularly
impressed in training.
Sunday will be the final day of the Premier League season and while Chelsea cannot finish any higher than third, they could still drop out of the UEFA Champions League qualification positions and into the Europa League berths.
Hosts Aston
Villa can close the gap on Leeds United with a win, but will not be able to
finish in the top half of the table after their recent loss of form. Villa Park
has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for clubs like Liverpool and
Arsenal and the return of fans, as well as Jack Grealish’s improving form and
fitness, could make this tough for Chelsea.
Patience and efficiency could be virtues again for Chelsea, who dominated and took the game to Leicester but lost focus towards the close, almost losing two crucial points. Interestingly, the Londoners’ most prolific period in away games has been around the hour mark, which coincides with when Villa have conceded most as hosts.
Villa are likely to defend deeply and counter quickly and directly,
as so many sides have against the Blues this season. Especially important will
be Tuchel’s selection on the right, where Matt Targett’s speed and Jack
Grealish’s magnetism underpin the majority of Villa’s attacks.
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