FA Cup: Can Villa Halt Chelsea’s Momentum?

Chelsea vs Aston Villa

Cup action returns to Stamford Bridge on Friday when FA Cup: Chelsea vs Aston Villa is the mouth-watering action on offer. 

This is a clash between two teams with starkly contrasting form in the first half of the season, but there has been a notable shift in recent weeks. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, who have been one of the form sides of 2023 and have been jostling for the top spot in the Premier League, have won just once in four games and are now in fourth place and looking over their shoulders.

Chelsea had a dreadful opening three months of the campaign, but three wins in four and progress in the cups signal a change in fortune, and Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues are upwardly mobile and are primed for strong FA Cup 2024 results.

Villa come into the game on the back of a goalless draw away to Everton, while Chelsea have been busy in cup action this week, hammering Middlesbrough 6-1 to reach the Carabao Cup final, and the latest Chelsea vs Aston Villa betting odds say that ‘Blue will be the Colour’ again on Friday. 

Talking Points

Poch is getting it right at Chelsea

After a difficult start to his career as Chelsea boss Pochettino’s team finished strongly in 2023 and they have continued to progress in the new year. The Chelsea manager rotated his squad and entrusted his young players against Michael Carrick’s Boro, who had won the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg 1-0.

Boro captain Jonny Howson scored an own goal to set the young Blues on their way, and they were four up by the break with goals from Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Axel Disasi. Palmer bagged a second, and Noni Madueke scored a late sixth before brave Boro snatched a consolation.

The Young Blues were dynamic and have brought Pochettino within 90 minutes of winning his first trophy in England. And credit goes to the manager, who is working tirelessly to mould a team out of a huge group of expensively assembled players.

It’s starting to work.

And the Chelsea squad will strengthen when some key players return. Summer marquee signing Christopher Nkunku has been desperately unlucky, having just recovered from a long term knee injury he has picked up a hip problem. Wing back Reece James is a long term absentee and striker Nicolas Jackson is at AFCON.

On the plus side attacking midfielder Palmer has been superb since his arrival from Manchester City and he gives the Blues a match-winning quality. The SBOTOP FA Cup 2024 odds say they can beat Aston Villa and I’m inclined to agree.

Villa sweating on Torres

Emery’s Aston Villa have played some scintillating, attacking football this season and often on the break. But two of the biggest factors in Villa’s rise, from bottom half side to Champions League hopefuls, is Emery’s managerial and tactical skills and the signing of Spanish centre back Pau Torres.

He has been imperious in defence and his distribution is excellent, launching attacks with accurate long balls. Torres has been trying to shake off a minor injury, and he made a return against Burnley, the one league game Villa have won recently, before missing out against Middlesbrough and Everton.

Confidence in the back four helps the attacking group to thrive and while Villa’s trip to Everton was never going to be easy, a 0-0 draw was a disappointing return. Emery has some speedy and skilful strikers up front, led by Ollie Watkins but he is looking to strengthen in that area too.

Villa have been tracking Middlesbrough striker Morgan Rogers, who scored a beauty of a consolation against Chelsea on Tuesday night, and the Championship side are willing to sell at a reported fee of £10 million.

But for Friday, the Villains’ key players are Watkins and Torres, if he makes it.

History

Both teams come into the game in reasonably good shape, but the Blues are stronger. Chelsea have five wins and one defeat from the last six games, while Villa have won three, all by a one-goal margin, drawn two, and lost one.

The Blues have had the better of the head-to-head Chelsea vs Aston Villa results, with 32 wins to 16 in all competitions since 1993, but the Villains have won the last three, including a 1-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge in September. But Chelsea have since made their home a fortress, unbeaten in eight and with six consecutive victories.

Betting Tip

Aston Villa are at odds of 3.00 to win this tie and the draw is 3.00 as well. This is a tough game to call; but I’m going with momentum and home advantage to give Chelsea and their manager another route to silverware.

 

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