Chris Sutton has made his pre-match prediction ahead of tomorrow’s clash between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea host Aston Villa on Friday night in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Blues have lost their previous two meetings against Villa, both of them at home.
However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side go into tomorrow fresh off thrashing Middlesbrough 6-1 earlier this week to book their spot in the Carabao Cup final.
There’s extra importance for Chelsea this season on the domestic cup competitions without any European football.
BBC pundit Chris Sutton has tipped Chelsea to record a narrow win over Premier League rivals Villa in the upcoming cup tie.
“The cups offer a way for Chelsea to save their season, and they are already in the final of the Carabao Cup after beating Middlesbrough,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been getting better, it’s just not the momentous rise we expected.
“Chelsea can’t afford not to go full pelt at this game but Aston Villa might be thinking about the top four, and Tuesday’s game with Newcastle.
“I’d love to see Villa give it a real go in the FA Cup as well, because they have been excellent this season, but I don’t know how Unai Emery will approach it.
“All of this is making me think that Chelsea will edge it, but I have been wrong about them plenty of times this season already.
“Sutton’s prediction: 2-1.”
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Villa, who sit fourth in the Premier League standings, are 12 points above mid-table Chelsea in the season right now.
Unai Emery’s side have an important league match against Newcastle United next Tuesday, so we’ll be intrigued to see what kind of Villa XI starts at Stamford Bridge.
As for Chelsea, they’ll be looking to continue their impressive home form.
We’d like to see some changes against Villa following the quick turnaround after Boro, but there’s talent in this squad with more players returning from injury.
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