Ollie Watkins is on the cusp of a historic milestone as Aston Villa prepare to clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this Sunday. The 28-year-old forward has already made his mark against the London club, scoring in both of his previous Premier League away matches at Stamford Bridge, which were pivotal in his team’s successes. Remarkably, no visiting player has ever netted three or more match-winning goals in Premier League history at this iconic venue. Should Watkins find the net on Sunday, he will become the first player to achieve this notable feat (talkSPORT).
The match is set to kick off at 1.30 PM, with both clubs keen to bolster their positions within the top four of the Premier League table. Aston Villa come into this encounter with confidence, having secured an impressive victory at Stamford Bridge in September of last year. On that occasion, Watkins was instrumental, scoring the only goal of the match while Chelsea’s Malo Gusto received a red card in the 58th minute, which swung the momentum firmly in Villa's favour, as reported by the BBC.
Previous encounters between the two sides have showcased their resilience, particularly a memorable meeting in April 2023 when Watkins again found the scoresheet, contributing to a 2-0 victory that was further marked by a goal from John McGinn as highlighted by Opta. However, the most recent fixture at Villa Park turned into a dramatic affair, with Chelsea recovering from a two-goal deficit to secure a 2-2 draw with goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher, who has since made a move to Atlético Madrid (Sky Sports).
Watkins is enjoying a stellar season thus far, having netted six goals for Aston Villa. His form has been particularly highlighted by a brace against Everton and two assists, suggesting a forward in peak condition. Last season, he concluded with a remarkable tally of 19 goals and 13 assists, a benchmark he appears determined to surpass. His scoring abilities extend beyond club competitions as he recently contributed to England's success with a goal in a 3-0 Nations League victory against Greece, further solidifying his status as a key player (The Guardian).
Aston Villa are also striving for an impressive achievement: securing three consecutive away victories against Chelsea for the first time since 1933. Moreover, a clean sheet in this match would elevate them to the ranks of teams that have achieved three consecutive league shutouts, a feat not accomplished since Everton's run in 1984 (Opta).
Following this eagerly anticipated match, Chelsea will face Southampton midweek before taking on Tottenham the following weekend. Meanwhile, Aston Villa will host Brentford midweek before welcoming Southampton to Villa Park for another crucial fixture this weekend.