Chelsea host Aston Villa tonight in the FA Cup fourth round tie.

It’s a crucial game for Mauricio Pochettino’s men against a tough Aston Villa side.

Here are four key things to expect from the Chelsea vs Aston Villa FA Cup match:

Chelsea’s Recent Form and Lineup Challenges: Chelsea come into this match with a boost in confidence, having won five of their last six games, including a 6-1 victory over Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup. However, the Blues still face liline-up allenges due to injuries. Key players like Malo Gusto, Christopher Nkunku, Robert Sanchez, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Romeo Lavia, and Lesley Ugochukwu are sidelined, while Nicolas Jackson is unavailable due to AFCON commitments. Expectations are high for players like Raheem Sterling, who has been directly involved in 19 goals in his last 20 FA Cup starts​​​​​​.

Aston Villa’s Strong Performance: Aston Villa are enjoying an excellent season, being in the top four in the Premier League. They are also coming off a midweek rest, having exited the EFL Cup earlier. Villa’s line-up also faces some challenges, with Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne, and Emiliano Buendia out due to injuries. Key players for Villa in this match include Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby, who will likely lead the attack​​​​​​.

Head-to-Head Record: Aston Villa have won their last two matches against Chelsea, both at Stamford Bridge, without conceding a goal. Chelsea, however, have won 40 of their last 47 FA Cup matches at Stamford Bridge. This match is significant for both teams, with Chelsea looking to maintain their strong home form and Aston Villa hoping to continue their good run against Chelsea​​​​.

Tactical Play: Chelsea are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on a solid midfield and fluid attacking quartet. Aston Villa are likely to adopt a 4-4-2 formation, with emphasis on midfield control and a dynamic forward duo. The tactical battle between Chelsea’s Mauricio Pochettino and Aston Villa’s Unai Emery will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game​​​​​​.

This match promises to be an intriguing encounter, with both teams having strong motivations to progress in the FA Cup.