By Milcah Tanimu
Following their impressive 6-1 victory over Middlesbrough in the League Cup semifinal, securing a spot in the Wembley final, Chelsea faces a challenging FA Cup encounter against Aston Villa. The pressure has eased on the team and manager after the recent success, but Villa, who convincingly defeated Chelsea in Premier League clashes in September and April, poses a formidable test.
The match serves as a litmus test to gauge Chelsea’s progress in recent weeks. Mauricio Pochettino’s emphasis on the team’s “desperation” to win trophies adds an additional layer of motivation.
*Match Details:*
– *Date/Time:* Friday, January 26, 2024, 19:45 GMT; 2:45 pm EST; 1:15 am IST (next day)
– *Venue:* Stamford Bridge, SW6
– *Referee:* Robert Jones (on pitch); Simon Hooper (VAR)
– *Forecast:* Cold once the sun goes down
*TV and Streaming:*
– *On TV:* None (UK); None (USA); Sony TEN 1 (India); None (NGA); elsewhere
– *Streaming:* None (UK); ESPN+ (USA); Sony LIV (India); SuperSport GOtv Select 2 (NGA); Chelsea TV (audio stream only; int’l)
*Chelsea Team News:*
– *Injury Concerns:* Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto return to training but are unavailable. Trevoh Chalobah is still building match fitness. Other absentees include Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Lesley Ugochukwu, Roméo Lavia, and Robert Sánchez. Cesare Casadei is ineligible, and Nicolas Jackson and Andrey Santos are on international duty.
– *Form:* Chelsea has won seven consecutive home games in all competitions, marking their best run at Stamford Bridge in seven years.
*Aston Villa Team News:*
– *Injury Concerns:* Lucas Digne and Jacob Ramsey are out, along with long-term absentees Emiliano Buendía and Tyrone Mings. Paul Torres and Robin Olsen face late fitness tests. Bertrand Traoré is away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
– *Form:* Villa, in the top-four fight, has one defeat in their last fourteen games, including wins against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Manager Unai Emery emphasizes the importance of being competitive in the FA Cup, acknowledging its prestige and its role as a gateway to Europe.
View from the Enemy: [7500 To Holte](source: 7500toholte.sbnation.com)
Previous Meetings: Chelsea faced two defeats against Villa in their last encounters, failing to score while conceding three goals. Prior to this, Chelsea had won four straight meetings, including a victory in the League Cup third round in 2021.