Aston Villa vs Chelsea – Premier League: Live results, team news and updates as Unai Emery’s side look to strengthen their hold on fourth place… with the Blues trying to bounce back after a dismal defeat to Arsenal

The Chelsea players have arrived at Villa Park and it seems that they are serious.

They will be desperate to avenge their 5-0 defeat to rivals Arsenal, but will they have Cole Palmer’s help from the start?

We’ll know in just a couple of minutes…

Aston Villa have waited a long time to achieve a league double against Chelsea, is today the day?

The last time they achieved it was back in the 1989-90 campaign. To put into context how long ago that was, 10 years before I was born (apologies if I just made you feel old).

The good news for Villa is that they have won their last two league games against Chelsea.

They are also in supreme form, so I wouldn’t bet against them making it three in a row.

Well then, that was a very good spot on Kieran’s part!

It would be huge for Chelsea if Reece James was actually available for selection tonight.

They have been missing both his leadership and his talent for too long. It’s been another really tough season for the captain.

We’ll find out if he makes the squad in just over 10 minutes…

Kieran Gill, Mail Sport, at Villa Park:

Interesting photo uploaded to Chelsea’s Twitter account in which, in the background, I can see the number 24. That is Reece James’ shirt, so we have to assume that he will be in the team for the first time since December 10 . Needs are necessary, for Mauricio Pochettino, because he has so many injured players, he probably needs to start using the returners sooner than he would like.

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea manager, speaking on Friday:

We had a meeting (on Friday) and tried to explain how we should behave when the game is difficult and when the demands are so high. We need to try to be stronger, really trust in our way of playing, trust in our philosophy, in the way we prepare for matches and everything that follows, and also have discipline.

We have to be positive, be strong and believe that we can play a good game (against Aston Villa). We need a good attitude and a good approach, and go there to compete with a team that is fighting to be in the Champions League. Next season we have to think: “We are Chelsea”, respect each other and do everything possible to win the game and be competitive.

I bet Chelsea fans love the away game at Villa Park.

Chelsea give them something to cheer about almost every time they travel to the West Midlands.

The Blues have won seven of their last nine Premier League visits to Villa Park and lost the other two.

They also won 3-1 in the FA Cup replay match at the stadium earlier this season, so even when Chelsea are struggling, Villa Park come out ahead.

Will the good record continue tonight?

Aston Villa fans are looking forward to it.

The little boy in the photo seems very happy to be holding that sparkler, and he’s not the only one.

You can feel the bustle around Villa Park, you just have the feeling that the atmosphere will be booming tonight.

When this stadium starts to vibrate, it is incredibly difficult to be the visiting team.

Mauricio Pochettino came out on top yesterday.

He said he is not the only one on trial at Chelsea because everyone at the club must prove why they do not deserve to be sacked.

Pochettino also admitted that he has not spoken to the owners in months and communicates through Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

Feels a little like that Spiderman meme pointing out behind the scenes…

Let’s start with the good news, shall we?

Cole Palmer is back in the running for this one after recovering from an illness. After that, he’s a bit bleak for Chelsea fans.

Malo Gusto is missing again today and Raheem Sterling and Carney Chukwuemeka joined him on the treatment table.

Enzo Fernandez underwent surgery, ruling him out for the rest of the season and gutting Mauricio Pochettino’s midfield.

It’s pretty down at Villa Park tonight and that, ironically, coincides with the deflated mood that has taken over Chelsea.

Mauricio Pochettino has 12 players out today, a complete starting eleven plus an extra player, but his team must respond to the defeat against Arsenal.

The truth is that they were quite sad that day and patience among the followers is now running out. So there’s no pressure!

Let’s review that long list of absentees below…

Hello everyone. I hope you have recovered from the previous action in the Premier League. There were so many twists and turns again!

We now turn our attention to the affairs of Villa Park. Surely one more defeat means the end of Chelsea’s hopes in European football?

That could also prove fatal for Mauricio Pochettino, although yesterday, to be fair to him, he got away with his comments.

Meanwhile, Villa are very close to finishing in the top four at the expense of Tottenham. They are currently six points ahead of Spurs.

It seems to me that this will be a kind of goal celebration…

Stay here for all the latest team news and minute-by-minute updates!