ASTON VILLA
Guzan
Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett
Westwood, Delph, Sylla
Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann
CHELSEA
Cech
Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole
Lampard, Ramires
Moses, Mata, Oscar
Ba
Paul Lambert looks likely to name the same eleven that triumphed in Aston Villa's all-important 2-1 victory over Norwich as they go in search of a win against the Blues that would guarantee them safety.
Matt Lowton, however, is a doubt after he picked up a thigh injury in last Saturday's win, as he will have to undergo a late fitness test in order to make what would be his 37th consecutive Premier League start.
Marc Albrighton (ankle), Richard Dunne (groin), Gary Gardner (ACL) and Chris Herd (ankle) also remain sidelined with their respective injuries.
Rafa Benitez, meanwhile, will make the changes that the Chelsea support have grown accustomed to, with John Terry, Frank Lampard, Victor Moses and Demba Ba all likely to replace Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres from the side that earned a 2-2 draw against Tottenham on Wednesday.
Chelsea have injury concerns over Ryan Bertrand (knee), Jon Obi Mikel (hand) and Hazard (calf), although Oriol Romeu could recover from a knee injury picked up in December in time to make the squad.
DID YOU KNOW?
Chelsea have won on two of their last four Premier League trips to Villa Park, dropping points with a draw and a defeat in the other two.
However, Aston Villa's home record recently has been disappointing; they have won a meagre three times over their last 11 home matches in the league, losing six and drawing two.
More cause for concern for Paul Lambert's men comes in the fact that Chelsea inflicted Aston Villa’s biggest ever Premier League defeat when the two teams met just before Christmas, cantering to an 8-0 win (incidentally, this was also the last time Fernando Torres scored in the Premier League).
Christian Benteke , in stark contrast to Torres, has had no problem finding the net in the league, scoring 13 Premier League goals since the turn of the year - more than anyone else in 2013.
Chelsea have scored more headed goals than anyone else in the league this season; Oscar's header against Tottenham was their sixteenth of the campaign.
The Blues have also scored the opening goal in more league games than any other side in the league, having broken the deadlock a total of 24 times over the course of the season.
Prediction
The stakes are high as a loss for either side could define their season, although, looking at it from a different perspective, a win would also be decisive - a victory for the home side would ensure Premier League football next season while three points for the away team would secure them a top-four finish. The latter is probably the more likely as, despite Aston Villa's good form, it is difficult to see past a victory for a Chelsea side unbeaten in their last seven in all competitions.
Editor's Prediction
Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea
