Best Odds: 2/1
Bookmaker:
Knowing that they hold their fate firmly in their own hands, Chelsea will make the trip to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon when fans make their return in the Midlands.
Aston Villa
Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa may have shown some issues during the second-half of the campaign, Dean Smith s side will be boosted by an eye-catching turnaround victory in midweek. Making the trip to North London on Wednesday evening, the former Brentford boss saw his side land a deserved 2-1 victory away at Tottenham and also caused a major dent in Spurs top-six ambitions. Putting on a real clinic in the final third and welcoming back skipper Jack Grealish to their starting XI earlier in the week, Villa could have easily left with more goals to show for their efforts. Now looking to end the 2020/21 campaign with a real flurry, despite it being confirmed they can not break into the top-half of the table on the final weekend, Sunday s hosts should also be glad to welcome a select number of fans back to Villa Park. However, landing just their second Premier League victory in their last eight attempts earlier in the week, it should be noted that Smith s squad have recorded just a single victory on home soil since the start of February, with that single victory coming against a relegated Fulham.
Team News
Aston Villa look set to be without the injured trio of Matty Cash, Trézéguet and Morgan Sanson for their finale at Villa Park this weekend.
Featuring for 70 minutes against Spurs earlier in the week, skipper Jack Grealish will once again lead the team out on Sunday afternoon.
Chelsea
As for the visitors, while Chelsea might have been left heartbroken to have seen Leicester lift the FA Cup at Wembley last weekend, The Blues managed to make an immediate return to winning ways earlier in the week. Knowing they faced a must-win showdown when The Foxes came to West London on Tuesday night, Thomas Tuchel s side landed a 2-1 victory on home soil and they now find their destiny firmly in their own hands. Climbing up to third in the table and knowing that three points at Villa Park this weekend will be enough to clinch them a top-four finish, the West London outfit have largely impressed since the former PSG boss took charge back in January. With a Champions League Final showdown against Manchester City out in Portugal fast approaching, Chelsea have also largely caught the eye with their continued Premier League success on the road. Including that 2-1 victory at The Etihad earlier in the month, Sunday s guests have collected 20 points from their last eight top-flight away fixtures.
Team News
Limping off against his former club Leicester earlier in the week, midfield talisman N Golo Kanté will miss out with a hamstring issue on Sunday afternoon.
Likewise, German forward Kai Havertz also remains a real doubt at Villa Park this weekend and looks set to miss out.
Key Factors to Consider
