- Date: Wednesday February 7 – 20:00 GMT
- Location: Villa Park, Birmingham
- Teams: Aston Villa vs Chelsea
Villa host Chelsea in replay
After a goalless draw in at Stamford Bridge, Aston Villa and Chelsea meet again at Villa Park, with a home tie against either Leeds United or Plymouth Argyle awaiting the victors.
Aston Villa
Villa are having a great season. Boss Unai Emery guided them from the lower reaches of the table into a European place last season and this time around has built upon that momentum superbly with Villa serious contenders for a top four position and still an outside bet for the title. They have stuttered slightly in the New Year and were struggling a little in front of goal. However, after a midweek home defeat to Newcastle United, where they lost their long unbeaten record at Villa Park, they bounced back with a 5-0 win away at strugglers Sheffield United.
Emi Buendia (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee) or Jhon Duran (hamstring) are all out long term. Pau Torres (ankle), Lucas Digne (thigh) and Nicolo Zaniolo (unspecified) are also likely to be unavailable. New signing Morgan Rogers is cup tied, having played against Villa for his previous club Middlesbrough in the third round.
Chelsea
As was the case last season, Chelsea are underachieving given the talent available in their expensively assembled squad. On their day they are capable of beating anybody, however, they are still struggling to string positive results together. After securing a place in the EFL Cup final, they were held to a goalless draw by Villa in the FA Cup and have since shipped eight goals in two league games, losing 4-1 at Anfield against Liverpool and suffering a 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Robert Sanchez (knee), Reece James (thigh), Marc Cucurella (ankle) and Romeo Lavia (quadriceps) all have some way to go before returning. Levi Colwill (tendon) could possibly return though this is thoughtto be unlikely. Trevoh Chalobah (thigh) has returned to training with the group, however, has some way to go before he is match fit.
Prediction
Chelsea have had a good season in the domestic cups so far, while their league campaign has, to date, flattered to deceive. They are capable of going to any ground and coming away with a positive result, however, this is not happening often enough for a club with Chelsea’s ambitions and a squad with, on paper, as much quality.
Villa lost at home last time out against a Newcastle side who are emerging from an injury crisis. However, scoring five against Sheffield United will do wonders for their confidence and they will go into this tie knowing that they are one of the best home sides in the country.
I feel that Villa’s strength at home will come through and that they will come through. Home win.
Villa Park, Birmingham
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