Aston Villa vs Chelsea: Premier League preview, predictions and bet builder tips

• Ladbrokes previews Aston Villa vs Chelsea in the Premier League

• Both sides in the mix for Champions League qualification

• Match predicted to end in a draw

The Premier League's midweek action serves up a big match on Wednesday night as Aston Villa host Chelsea at Villa Park. Ladbrokes previews the clash between two European contenders looking to get back on track after some patchy recent form. Looking at the Villa vs Chelsea odds, the visitors are narrow favourites at 6/4, with Villa odds of 8/5 and the draw priced at 13/5.

• Fixture: Aston Villa vs Chelsea

• Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026

• Kick-off: 19.30 GMT

• Venue: Villa Park

Our prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 Chelsea

Aston Villa

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez / Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen / Luiz, Onana / Sancho, Buendia, Rogers / Abraham

Chelsea

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez / James, Chalobah, Fofana, Gusto / Caicedo, Andrey Santos / Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho / Joao Pedro

Match to end in a draw

Villa and Chelsea meet with both sides struggling to find their best form after strong starts to the season. At various points in the year the two have been considered dark horse title contenders, but their primary aim now would appear to be Champions League qualification, with Villa currently 4th and Chelsea in 6th, six points behind their opponents.

Unai Emery's side have won just two of their last eight league games, and what was previously a fortress at Villa Park has been a bit more shaky recently, with two losses from four, and an 88th-minute equaliser was required against Leeds. Villa still have the 4th-best home record, but Chelsea have the 4th-best away record.

It's three league games without a win for the visitors, but their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal was Liam Rosenior's first loss since he took charge. He's got them playing some decent stuff but hasn't been helped by continually being reduced to ten men. With each team searching for fluency and defensive solidity, we reckon this one could end up as an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Both teams to score

In line with our 2-2 prediction, for the next leg of our Villa vs Chelsea bet builder we'll go with both teams to score. This selection has landed in four of the last five games between Villa and Chelsea. In each of the Blues' last six away games, both teams have scored, so we reckon there's a good chance it happens again.

Joao Pedro to have 1+ shots on target

Joao Pedro is having the best period of his short Chelsea career so far, with an impressive five goals and five assists in his last seven Premier League games as he's hit the ground running under new coach Liam Rosenior. The versatile Brazilian forward now has eleven goals and eight assists in the league this season, and scored the opener in Chelsea's 2-1 loss to Villa at Stamford Bridge earlier this season. The ex-Brighton man had two shots on target last time out, and has had at least one in four of his last five. We're backing him to land another shot on target at Villa Park.

Enzo Fernandez to get booked

Ill-discipline has been a running theme for Chelsea this season, perhaps a reflection of their young team, and it cost them again at Arsenal when Pedro Neto picked up two quick bookings in a 2-1 defeat to the league leaders. It was a game in which the Blues largely competed well, and it's back-to-back games in which Chelsea have been reduced to ten after Wesley Fofana's red in their home draw with Burnley. Chelsea have picked up seven red cards in 28 Premier League games, at a rate of one every four games, more than any other team.

Enzo Fernandez is thriving in a more advanced role this season, scoring eight league goals, but he's also collected seven bookings, including another last time at the Emirates. Five of his cards have come away from home, and he was also booked in the reverse fixture against Villa, so we're tipping the Argentinian to pick up another card here.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.