After three weeks away, Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon for a 1.30pm kick-off against Unai Emery's Aston Villa.

After this weekend's fixtures, a third of the top-flight campaign will be complete. The Blues currently sit third; our visitors eighth. Victory on home soil would see the gap between the two widen, not that that will be the motivation for Enzo Maresca and his players.

European action was on the agenda for both clubs in midweek. Villa were unfortunate to draw at home to Juventus but are on course to progress in the Champions League. Chelsea, meanwhile, defeated Heidenheim to maintain a 100 per cent record in the Conference League league phase.

Changes have often been made to our starting XI in Europe and it has paid off on our return to league action, with the Blues yet to taste defeat (two wins and three draws) following Conference League fixtures.

Villa travel to Stamford Bridge without a win in seven matches in all competitions. Their defence has been breached on 12 occasions in those fixtures with only five scored in reply.

Our domestic form reads better, with eight points claimed in our previous four matches. Only two top-flight sides can eclipse that total in the same period. We are also the competition's third-highest scorers and have more points at this stage of the campaign than in the last two seasons.

What Emery's side have in their favour is a good recent record at Stamford Bridge. We have failed to score in our previous three meetings – twice in the league and once in the FA Cup – and haven't defeated Villa on home soil since September 2021.

If we can end that run and secure three points, we will move up to second in the top flight for the first time since January 2022.

Chelsea team news

With nine fixtures to play in December, Enzo Maresca will undoubtedly be delighted with the individual performances produced by those who came into the side against Heidenheim on Thursday evening.

Filip Jorgensen made a string of excellent saves and was impressive on the ball while in the attacking third, Jadon Sancho showcased his exceptional quality and Mykhailo Mudryk and Christo Nkunku finished chances excellently to get on the scoresheet.

Maresca has already stated that changes will be made to the starting XI, which is no surprise given the short turnaround from Thursday evening's trip to Germany.

Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto trained in the build-up to the game while several others in the squad were rested against Heidenheim.

One of those who didn't feature was Cole Palmer, who has created more open-play chances (28) than any other Premier League player. The England international will also be looking to score or assist against Villa for the first time; they are one of just three Premier League clubs he has yet to do so against (excluding those promoted this season).

Against Crystal Palace last time out, Villa's high defensive line was exposed. That is something the Blues could look to repeat, especially given no Premier League side has produced more shots on goal from rapid breaks than the Blues (16 attempts).

Nicolas Jackson, who has a close relationship with Emery from their time together at Villarreal, has benefitted from those this term, and of his seven Premier League goals five have opened the scoring in Chelsea's favour.

Chelsea v Aston Villa: The history

Our first victory in this match-up came at the ninth attempt thanks to goals by Harrys Ford and Halse at Villa Park in October 1913.

So sensational was our 2-1 win considered, the Blues players posed for a souvenir photo after the game. We have made up for lost time since, with 69 matches won in all competitions compared to the Villans’ 60.

The away fixture has sporadically brought a flood of goals down the years, including 6-2 and 7-1 wins for the claret-and-blue side in 1938 and 1952 respectively, and five goals for Bobby Tambling in the Blues’ 6-2 triumph of 1966.

Stamford Bridge landed a piece of that action in March 2010, as Frank Lampard notched four times in a 7-1 victory. We would claim our only league and cup double that season.

And it was 12 years ago this month that the club’s biggest-ever margin of victory in the league was was equalled – and Villa’s worst loss inflicted – when seven different scorers recorded an 8-0 demolition.

The 'Super Seven' were Fernando Torres, David Luiz, Branislav Ivanovic, Frank Lampard, Ramires (two), Oscar (penalty) and Eden Hazard.

Know this…

Chelsea have yet to score in the opening or closing 15 minutes of any Premier League home game this season.

Aston Villa have the third-worst concession rate in the top flight with 19 goals conceded from 136 attempts. Wolves (28/179) and Man City (17/95) lead the way on that unfortunate stat.

The eleven saves made by Filip Jorgensen at Heidenheim was the highest number by any Chelsea goalkeeper over 90 minutes in the past two seasons. The 2-0 victory also brought the 22-year-old keeper’s fourth clean sheet in eight matches.

Most saves over 90 minutes since start of 2023/24