Key players sidelined as Villa and Chelsea battle at Villa Park. Discover who's in and out before this crucial Premier League showdown.
Aston Villa and Chelsea face each other this Wednesday, March 4, at 8:30 p.m. (Central European Time) at Villa Park, in Matchweek 29 of the 2025/26 Premier League. A clash that finds both teams in need of answers after an adverse weekend.
Villa arrive following a loss to last-place Wolves (2-0) and have won only once in their last five league matches — a run of form that has cost them third place in the standings. Chelsea, meanwhile, comes in after losing to Arsenal (2-1). A result that adds to unexpected draws against Leeds and Burnley.
Aston Villa go into the matchday in a better position than Chelsea, sitting fourth in the standings, six points clear of the Blues, who are sixth. Villa wants to sustain their strong campaign and stay close to the top spots, against a wounded rival following their derby loss to Arsenal. Liam Rosenior suffered his first Premier League defeat and is looking to bounce back to avoid falling further behind their direct competitors.
The most recent meeting between the two was on December 27, 2025, when Aston Villa, surprising at Stamford Bridge, won 2-1 thanks to a double from Ollie Watkins. Furthermore, Villa have won the last two direct Premier League encounters, including a commanding 3-0 in December 2024, a stat that adds tension to the reunion.
'Dibu' Martinez is Aston Villa's goalkeeper, with Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa handling defensive duties. Douglas Luiz anchors the midfield, with Emiliano Buendia as an attacking piece, alongside Jadon Sancho and Ollie Watkins in attack.
Meanwhile, Chelsea features Wesley Fofana in defense. Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos, and Enzo Fernandez are the South American trio in midfield, supplying attacking players Cole Palmer, Alejandro Garnacho, and Joao Pedro.
Injuries and doubts for the match:
Pedro Neto (suspension), Estevao (thigh), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (thigh), Dario Essugo (unspecified), Marc Cucurella (thigh), Levi Colwill (knee).
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