Elsewhere in the top flight, the results are in. Arsenal held on to beat Brighton 2-1 in a nervy match at the Emirates, Brentford thrashed Bournemouth 4-1, Burnley and Everton played out a messy 0-0 draw, Liverpool edged Wolves 2-1 and Fulham won 1-0 at West Ham. Liverpool’s victory means Chelsea start this match in fifth, three points behind Arne Slot’s side, while Villa remain third, four points behind second-place City.
Looking for some pre-match reading? Here’s our report from the early Premier League kick-off, with Manchester City winning 2-1 at Nottingham Forest, plus a bit of Scottish Premiership and Africa Cup of Nations action.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; James, Badiashile, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Pedro Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; João Pedro. Subs: Jörgensen, Adarabioyo, Delap, Bynoe-Gittens, Santos, Gusto, Fofana, Acheampong, Estêvão.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Cash, Lindelöf, Konsa, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendía, Rogers; Malen. Subs: Bizot, Watkins, Digne, García, Sancho, Jimoh, Onana, Bogarde, Hemmings.
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)
Evening. Chelsea host Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge – and is there a more unwelcome visiting team? Unai Emery’s side are on a jaw-dropping run of 10 consecutive wins in all competitions. Momentum, baby. They also have a player in Morgan Rogers capable of bending a game to his will, even if those around him drop their levels. The battle between Rogers and Cole Palmer will be a must-watch, and one Thomas Tuchel will be relishing. Kick-off is at 5.30pm.