Aston Villa vs Chelsea Prediction: Malen to get off the mark for Villans

Without a win in any of their three Premier League games this month, Aston Villa will be desperate to chalk up a victory on Saturday evening (17:30, Sky Sports Main Event) when they host Chelsea at Villa Park. The Blues haven't been in sparkling form either of late, losing three of their last four matches in all competitions, including their last league outing at Brighton (3-0) last weekend.

Below are my Aston Villa vs Chelsea predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Ezri Konsa and Leon Bailey face late fitness tests ahead of Chelsea's visit to Villa Park. Both players have missed Villa's last two games, home draws with Ipswich Town (1-1) and Liverpool (2-2), and will be assessed prior to Saturday's clash.

On-loan defender Axel Disasi is ineligible to face his parent club, joining Pau Torres (broken metatarsal), Ross Barkley (calf), Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana (both hamstring) in the stands.

Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio made their full Villa debuts in Wednesday's stalemate with Liverpool but both could drop back down to the bench for Donyell Malen and Jacob Ramsey, who were substituted on in the second half against the Premier League leaders.

Football Odds

Noni Madueke has been added to Chelsea's extensive absentee list after picking up a muscle injury in last Saturday's defeat at Brighton. The 22-year-old was forced from the field in the 21st minute at the Amex Stadium and he joins Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile, Nicolas Jackson (all thigh), Wesley Fofana, Marc Guiu and Omar Kellyman (all muscle) in the treatment room.

Mkyhailo Mudryk, meanwhile, is still suspended after failing an FA drugs test.

Aston Villa vs Chelsea Odds

Aston Villa haven't beaten Chelsea at Villa Park since May 2021 and the Villans are slight underdogs on Saturday with odds of 13/8 implying a 38.1% probability of success, while Chelsea are 6/4, or a 40% chance, to triumph on their league travels for the first time since December 8.

The draw is priced at 11/4, both teams to score at 4/9, and over 2.5 total goals at 8/15.

Match Result & Both Teams to Score - Aston Villa & Yes @ 3/1

Villa have lost just once at home in the Premier League all season and that was to Arsenal (0-2) in their opening game at Villa Park, meaning they are unbeaten in their last 13 on home soil. Draws have been a problem as they have finished on level terms in four of their last five in B6, although a 2-2 draw with league leaders Liverpool was a more than creditable result in midweek.

Unai Emery may have lost Jhon Duran in the winter transfer window but he was able to add Malen, Rashford and Asensio in attack, as well as Disasi and Andres Garcia in defence. We're yet to see the three forwards fully take flight but there have been encouraging signs and Saturday could be when everything clicks together.

Chelsea have won just two of their last nine Premier League games, losing four times post-Christmas Day, and they've lost three of their last four on the road.

The Blues are devoid of all confidence right now and with their injuries starting to stack up, I don't see things turning for them this weekend at a difficult venue.

I'm backing Villa to claim victory and move to within a point of the west London side, and I'm also adding in both teams to score considering both defences have struggled to keep clean sheets.

Emiliano Martinez has just three in 26 appearances for Villa while Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have a combined four (all Sanchez) for Chelsea.

Both teams to score has landed in 18 Villa and Chelsea league games this season; only Fulham (19) have been involved in more matches where both teams have scored.

Anytime Goalscorer - Donyell Malen (AVL) @ 5/2

January signing Malen dropped out of Villa's starting XI in midweek and was only brought on for the final 24 minutes against Liverpool. He finished the match having failed to score or register an assist, making it five without a direct goal contribution since joining from Borussia Dortmund last month.

He may start on the bench again on Saturday but I think he has a solid chance of returning to the line-up from the beginning following a lively cameo against the Reds.

The 26-year-old shot twice, with his second and final effort going a whisker wide of the post in the dying embers. It was a miss, but an opening that should encourage him ahead of this weekend's game against Chelsea.

At 5/2, the Dutchman offers great value in the anytime goalscorer market having struck 13 times in 27 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund last season, and twice in five Champions League outings this term.

Offers

Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven: Get double or treble the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a 2nd and 3rd

We will be Top Price on Chelsea to beat Aston Villa with selected bookmakers using Oddschecker for the comparison. (Available from 09:30 Saturday)

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Premier League or Championship game on Friday or Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Sunday’s games. (Credited upon Bet Settlement)

Build your own Bet Builder bet (3/1+) of 4+ legs on any Premier League game on Saturday and get 50% of your stake back in Free Bets up to £5 if you lose.

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.