---
title: "Match Preview: Aston Villa vs. Chelsea"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2016/04/01/match-preview-aston-villa-vs-chelsea/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ed Payne"
section: "Aston Villa Match Previews"
published: "2016-04-01T00:23:24Z"
modified: "2016-04-01T13:42:17Z"
---

# Match Preview: Aston Villa vs. Chelsea

The first game of the post-Remi Garde era for Villa sees Chelsea make the trip to Villa Park.

The reverse fixture, which occurred in September, saw Villa lose 2-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge courtesy of defensive blunders from Joleon Lescott and Alan Hutton. The match also proved to be Tim Sherwood’s last away match in charge.

Villa, who parted company with Garde on Tuesday, go into the game under caretaker Eric Black who was brought in as Garde’s first-team coach in January. Villa head into the game having lost six consecutive league games, as the confirmation of playing in the Championship moves ever closer.

![Ben Hoskins/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/04/516530960.jpg)

Before the international break, Villa lost 1-0 to Swansea after a Brad Guzan howler allowed Swansea to bundle the ball over the line and gift the home side all three points.

The team news for the Villans is positive with Jack Grealish and Adama Traore back in training and available for selection having not featured since late January and early January respectively.

![Clive Mason/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/04/493049668.jpg)

Last season’s Premier League champions Chelsea have endured a shocking season. The West London club come into the game in 10th position, whilst they were also knocked out of both domestic cup competitions and dispatched by PSG in the round of 16 in the Champions League.

Since firing Jose Mourinho in December, however, the blues are unbeaten in the league and have gradually climbed the Premier League table after being 16th when Mourinho was sacked after the defeat to Leicester.

The team news for Chelsea is that Cesc Fabregas is likely to continue to operate in a role behind the striker, following his return to form with two goals in their last game against West Ham. Meanwhile, Guus Hiddink is expected to include the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Bertrand Traore.

Can Villa pull off a fantastic result against last season’s fallen champions or will the game go with form and see Chelsea easily dispose of Villa?