“Shocking” Paul Merson predicts “SCORES” of Chelsea clash vs Aston Villa

Chelsea hired Mauricio Pochettino with the new season in mind and set out for quick improvement this term after their disappointing campaign last time around, in which they finished 12th in the Premier League with just 44 points, their lowest total of the Premier League era. However, the Blues have once again had to deal with a slow start.

Axel Disasi’s equalizer helped them earn a point against Liverpool in their season-opening match at home, but they would lose 3-1 to London rivals West Ham United in their subsequent match. Michail Antonio restored their hosts’ lead following Carney Chukwuemeka’s first-half equalizer, and Lucas Paqueta sealed the victory for the home team with a late penalty kick time

The Blues did then score a first competitive victory under their new boss, beating newly-promoted Luton Town 3-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to Raheem Sterling‘s brace and a Nicolas Jackson goal, before they headed into the international break on the back of another setback.

The first half of their meeting at home to Nottingham Forest ended goalless, but after Anthony Elanga quickly opened the scoring early in the second period, Chelsea were unable to find a leveller and came away empty-handed as a result, before returning to action away at Bournemouth last Sunday and coming away with another disappointing result as the spoils were shared in a goalless stalemate.

In the midst of their first season without continental football since the 2016-17 term, Chelsea do now head into the weekend well rested, although with just five points on the board from five outings under Pochettino, the London outfit will know they must quickly turn their form around starting at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, to avoid falling even further behind the leading pack at this stage.