A second successive away game in the Premier League takes Chelsea to Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa.

The 8pm kick-off time is a novel one for Mauricio Pochettino's side. Still, the setting should be fresh in the memory after our impressive FA Cup fourth-round replay victory over Villa in February.

Chelsea will travel to the Midlands hoping to become the first visiting team in a decade to twice beat Villa on their own turf in the same season. And over the course of the last six matches, the form of the two sides is identical.

Both have won three in the Premier League, drawn twice, and lost just once. Both also have a plus-three goal difference in that period.

Villa have not been an opponent to crack, especially early in matches. Unai Emery's side have yet to concede at home in the opening 15 minutes of matches – a feat Chelsea have also managed – and have scored 18 first-half goals at home, the third-most in the league.

In the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, Malo Gusto's harsh dismissal proved costly for the Blues and we were beaten 1-0. However, we have won three times in a row across all competitions in Birmingham, including that FA Cup success in February.

Chelsea team news

A depleted Chelsea side suffered a painful defeat at the Emirates on Tuesday evening, but the trip to Villa Park offers Pochettino and his players the opportunity to bounce back from our heaviest league defeat since 2019.

In our FA Cup victory, Pochettino deployed Nicolas Jackson wide on the left and Noni Madueke on the right. Both proved smart decisions from the head coach as we enjoyed huge success down the flanks and Cole Palmer impressed through the middle.

Pochettino hopes to welcome Palmer back into his squad for the game. The 21-year-old missed the defeat in north London due to illness but has trained in the build-up to the game.

There are new absentees to contend with, however. Enzo Fernandez underwent surgery on a groin issue this week and will be sidelined for the rest of the campaign. Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) and Raheem Sterling (back) have also been ruled out.

Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia continue to undergo their respective rehabilitation programmes and while Robert Sanchez, Reece James, Levi Colwill, Lesley Ugochukwu and Christopher Nkunku are in partial team training, they are not expected to feature.

Goal contributions in all competitions 2023/24

Opposition scout: Aston Villa

Emery’s well-drilled team adopts a high defensive line, screens their backline with two physical central midfielders, and counter-attacks in numbers through quick combinations and blistering speed.

Only West Ham United and Nottingham Forest have scored more from breakaways this season, but Villa are also in the top three for set-play goals, although they have conceded from as many as they have scored (14).

Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins has scored 19 top-flight goals this season - the joint-most by a Villa player alongside Christian Benteke in 2012/13.

In the recent FA Cup meeting at Villa Park, both sides had 15 shots. Chelsea registered eight on target and Villa five, of which Djordje Petrovic saved four.

Sheffield United, Luton Town and Fulham are the only teams to have recorded more own goals than Villa this term – and they are one of three sides to have conceded just one penalty to date.

Douglas Luiz, suspended for two games after accruing ten yellow cards, is available again but Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings, Alex Moreno, Jacob Ramsey and Boubacar Kamara are ruled out.

The history

After Harry Halse’s winner earned Chelsea’s first-ever victory at Villa Park in October 1913, so momentous was it to beat the perennial title-chasers on their own patch that the team posed for a photo.

In contrast, as of last season, the Londoners had won seven of the past nine away trips to Villa. Several of those standout, including a 4-2 victory in March 2012 thanks to Bransilav Ivanovic’s third brace for the Blues.

The 2-1 a season later is largely remembered for Frank Lampard’s record-breaking double strike – and loan debutant Alexandre Pato netted his only Chelsea goal in the 4-0 in April 2016, after which the Midlanders were relegated.

Twin penalties by Jorginho helped secure an ultimately comfortable 3-1 win on Boxing Day 2021 while last season’s 2-0 was the Mason Mount show: the midfielder netted both, including a spectacular direct free kick.

Tightrope walked

On Tuesday night, Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson passed the cut-off point for receiving ten yellow cards in the Premier League. Neither will serve a two-match suspension if booked between now and the end of the campaign.

The Ecuadorian had to negotiate three matches after receiving his ninth caution in our dramatic win against Man United. Our Senegal striker has the all-clear after eight games without a yellow.

Europe still possible

Despite our setback at Emirates, the Blues are still in a position to clinch a European place i the top flight.

With games in hand on the sides above, Chelsea's maximum available points total is 65, the same as seventh-placed Newcastle and one win shy of the 68 available to Manchester United.