Earlier this month Chelsea still led the Premier League table, but two consecutive draws and a lone win in the last four rounds have dropped them to third place. Now the Blues will try to come back with three points from Birmingham, where they are hosted in the Boxing Day round at Aston Villa which has been improving since the arrival of Steven Gerrard last month.
Romulo Lukaku returns to training after recovering from Corona, but is on the bench alongside Mateo Kovacic. Callum Hudson-Audrey returned to the lineup along with Angulo Canta. Aston Villa in the Stevie G era have just succumbed to Manchester City and Liverpool and although they too are lacking and with deficiencies due to injuries and Corona, the team are aware that this is a good opportunity to take points from one of the greats in their attempt to climb to the top. Gerard is positive about Corona and is not in Villa Park.
the progress of the game
Minute 29: Gate! Matt Target raised from the left, Reese James slammed it over Edouard Mandy and inside. What bad luck and 0: 1 to Aston Villa
34 min: Gate! Matt Cashi tripped Colum Hudson Audrey in the box and it was a penalty for Chelsea. Giorgini kicked the ball to the corner to make it 1-1
Games postponed in the 19th round:
Liverpool – Leeds
Wolves – Watford
Burnley – Everton