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Round 29 of an enthralling English Premier League season continues on Wednesday evening. Chelsea travel from London to Birmingham, eager to end a three-match winless run, following two draws and a defeat.
Villa hope to make home advantage count as they plan to improve on just one win in their last five in this competition. There's all to play for.
With both Villa and the Blues involved in a fascinating race for a top-four finish, all eyes will be on this match.
With each of the previous five meetings producing three or more goals, armchair fans and neutrals hope this midweek renewal offers more of the same, giving us another goal-fest. Which side will grab an important win and bank all three points?
The leading online bookmakers featured on this page offer more than 100 pre-match betting markets. You can keep it simple by predicting the winner, or play one of the many specials, including both teams to score, handicap, first goalscorer, and more.
Need help finding the value? Experienced Premier League betting writer Frank Monkhouse offers his selections.
Aston Villa v Chelsea tips
Aston Villa over 1.5 cards @ 4/6 (bet365)
Joao Pedro to score or assist @ 11/10 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Total cards - Aston Villa over 1.5
Our first suggested bet for Wednesday evening is that the local team will receive more than one booking in the match. It doesn't matter which home player is booked or why. As long as the game ends with more than one player from the Aston Villa team in the referee's notepad, you'll land a useful profit. You can follow as a single or add to your Bet Builders.
A look at recent meetings involving Aston Villa and Chelsea show this is often a bad-tempered fixture. Villa scored an impressive 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge two days after Christmas 2025. That day ended with eight bookings, five for Chelsea and three for Villa. The most recent clash at Villa Park ended with four yellows. There's more to get excited about.
A bet on Aston Villa to receive two or more bookings paid out in three of the previous five. Away from meetings with Chelsea, the trend remains strong. Cash, Buendia, and Bailey were all carded in Friday's surprise loss to bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers. Villa drew 1-1 with Leeds when last at home, and Buendia was also booked that day.
Tip: Aston Villa to receive two or more cards @ 4/6 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need at least two Aston Villa players to be booked in midweek.
Total goals - over 2.5
Moving to a more popular market, our research suggests that Aston Villa vs Chelsea will yield three or more goals from both clubs combined. That was a winning bet when Villa beat the Blues 2-1 in London last time. It was also the best approach in each of the last five, four in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup. Three of those five came from Villa Park.
Aston Villa may not have been winning as often at home as their fans would like to see, but they've had no trouble scoring at this venue. Emery's under-pressure side netted when hosting Leeds United, Newcastle United, and Brighton in February. They've also scored at least one goal in Chelsea's last three visits. I expect the home team to build on that form.
Switching to Chelsea's efforts away from Stamford Bridge adds confidence. They are winless in three, but scored when losing at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon. That goal means they've notched eight in three away games, covering both the Premier League and the FA Cup. Over 2.5 will do a job in your accas and allow you to cheer every goal.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You want to see three or more goals scored at Villa Park on matchday 29.
Score or assist - Joao Pedro
Our third and final Aston Villa vs Chelsea prediction is for Joao Pedro to score or assist. You're covering both outcomes here, meaning a goal is every bit as good as Pedro setting up a Chelsea teammate to score. Our pick is an important part of the Chelsea team, will likely start on Wednesday, and has the quality to land us a nice profit.
Let's look at Joao Pedro's stats and form. He has been directly involved in five goals in five Premier League games against Wednesday's opponents. That form shows two goals and three assists. Pedro's numbers prove he loves playing against Villa, and he was on target last time at the Bridge. Villa won that match, but Pedro gave the losing side a 1-0 lead.
Joao Pedro has featured 13 times for Chelsea this year in the EPL, League Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. In that spell, the 24-year-old Brazilian attacker has an impressive seven goals. He scored away to Crystal Palace and Napoli, with the others at Stamford Bridge against Brentford, West Ham, Leeds United, and Burnley. Back him to score or assist here.
Tip: Pedro to score or assist @ 11/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You'll bank a profit if the Chelsea striker Joao Pedro scores or assists against Aston Villa.
Aston Villa v Chelsea odds
Aston Villa win @ 7/4 (bet365)
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.