Chelsea search to slim the hole to third-placed Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on 27 December. BBC Sport explores some speaking factors earlier than the sport.
A ‘chilly’ battle?
This fixture pits two buddies and English quantity 10s towards one another. Bragging rights are presently with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers over Cole Palmer, his predecessor as PFA Younger Participant of the Yr.
Commercial
Palmer continues to be discovering his rhythm as he slowly overcomes a groin concern which, together with a fractured toe, stored him out for eight league matches till the start of December. Rogers, then again, has rebounded impressively from a poor begin to the season which culminated in ironic cheers from some Villa followers when he accomplished a move towards Bologna – a Europa League recreation throughout which he misplaced possession 29 instances.
The 23-year-old’s ‘chilly’ goalscoring celebration – which he created and Palmer copied whereas the 2 gamers had been on the academy – has been out in drive over the previous two video games, having scoring twice towards each and . He is offered 10 aim involvements within the Premier League this season, essentially the most of any English participant throughout the opening 17 video games.
Nonetheless, for the reason that starting of final season it’s Palmer who has been the extra prolific scorer and creator, whereas his superior passing accuracy highlights a key space during which Rogers can nonetheless enhance his consistency.
[BBC]
Villa proceed to defy odds
Chelsea and Aston Villa have each completed fourth and sixth up to now two seasons, utilising opposing methods to push for Champions League qualification.
Commercial
Whereas Chelsea have spent – and offered – large on younger gamers with potential, Villa supervisor Unai Emery usually prizes expertise and the membership’s switch dealings have been closely restricted below spending guidelines linked to income.
Villa have solely spent £58.3m on preliminary charges over the 2 switch home windows in 2025 however have the third most factors within the Premier League this 12 months. It quantities to 1.25 factors per million kilos spent, guaranteeing they proceed to punch far above their weight to compete with the division’s conventional heavyweights.
[BBC]
Villa have truly made a £77m switch revenue this 12 months, comfortably the best determine within the high flight, and but on Saturday they might equal their membership document of 11 consecutive victories in all competitions, final achieved in 1914.