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Sky Sports' Peter Smith at Stamford Bridge:

"This is a cracking game to return to after the Christmas break for Chelsea and Aston Villa - and a fixture in which the result will be loaded with narrative for both sides.

"If Villa maintain their incredible winning streak, they will go flying into their showdown with Arsenal amid talk of a serious title challenge. It would also raise serious questions about the direction inconsistent Chelsea are heading in under Enzo Maresca.

"But alternatively, a home win would be a big boost for the Blues' top-four aspirations and haul Villa back into the chasing pack.

"Plenty of talent on show, plenty to play for and it should all add up to an enthralling contest at the Bridge..."

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca confirmed both Liam Delap and Estevao are available to face Aston Villa.

Delap's return is a huge boost, with the striker coming back sooner than expected from a shoulder injury he sustained in the goalless draw at Bournemouth on December 6.

Estevao, meanwhile, returns from a muscular problem which has kept the Brazilian out of Chelsea's last two games.

Hello and welcome to live match commentary of Chelsea vs Aston Villa in the Premier League!

You can watch this game live on Sky Sports Main Event and we'll bring you in-game clips followed by free match highlights shortly after full-time.

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Chelsea sit seven points behind third-placed Aston Villa after winning just one of their last five league games. They came from 2-0 down at Newcastle last time out to rescue a draw.

Villa are in scintillating form having won 10 consecutive matches across all competitions and seven in a row in the Premier League.

We'll bring you team news shortly, followed by everything you need to know ahead of kick-off and then live match updates. Stay right here!

Aston Villa have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their meeting with Chelsea, live on Sky Sports this Saturday.

Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley and Pau Torres remain sidelined but Jadon Sancho is back in contention after being unavailable to face his parent club Manchester United last time out.

Evann Guessand will not be available after leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.

“We have the same players,” said manager Unai Emery at the Boxing Day press conference at Bodymoor Heath.

“We are training and we were playing last week, only adding Guessand after he left with his national team.

“Players who were injured are still injured.

“Other players are ready and hopefully tomorrow as well, in normal process to play.”

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer is "ready to play 90 minutes" after recently returning from injury.

The England international made his return at the start of December from a groin injury which had kept him out of action for nearly four months.

The 23-year-old has been substituted off in Chelsea's last three Premier League games, but Maresca has revealed Palmer is now fit enough to play for an entire game.

"I think he's ready for 90 minutes," Maresca said of Palmer.

"The progression for a player is 45, one hour, 70.

"He already played one hour against Everton.

"He played more than 70 against Newcastle, so I think the progression is there."

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed both Liam Delap and Estevao are available to face Aston Villa on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

Delap's return is a huge boost, with the striker coming back sooner than expected from a shoulder injury he sustained in the goalless draw at Bournemouth on December 6.

Estevao, meanwhile, returns from a muscular problem which has kept the Brazilian out of Chelsea's last two games.

Maresca confirmed: "He's [Estevao] back, he's available for Saturday.

"Him, and also Liam Delap."

Asked whether Delap's return was sooner than expected, the Italian replied: "No, we didn't know exactly for how long he was out.

"But he's available for Saturday, and also Estevao, so I'm very happy for both."

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Our football betting expert Jones Knows called nine out of 10 match results correct last weekend. He is back to offer his insight...

Sunderland vs Leeds, Sunday 2pm, live on Sky Sports

There are certain grounds you simply can't ignore. The Stadium of Light has become a place where structure, energy and belief do the heavy lifting, and those qualities tend to travel very well through a season. It's now eight Premier League home games unbeaten, with five wins and three draws and that consistency tells you plenty about what kind of team they are.

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With key players away at AFCON, there's a temptation to downgrade Sunderland. But this is a side built on collective understanding and tactical clarity. Remove a few pieces and the structure still holds - as shown in their excellent performance at Brighton.

Leeds, meanwhile, have struggled badly on the road. Six defeats in eight away games paints a picture of a team that hasn't yet found a way to control matches outside familiar surroundings.

The market is disrespecting the influence of the Stadium of Light resulting in us being able to back Sunderland on the draw no bet at 10/11 with Sky Bet.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Sunderland draw no bet (10/11 with Sky Bet)

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham, Sunday 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports

Crystal Palace's defence is creaking. It's now 10 goals conceded in their last four games across all competitions. Before that, over the previous 12 matches they'd only shipped eight goals in total. The squad has been stretched beyond its limits and results are now suffering as such.

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Spurs have had an eight-day break since their last game - their longest gap between games this season. Thomas Frank is a process-focused, hands-on coach that needs training time to implement his ideas - something he's not had the luxury of this season. And although Frank's team have been one of the most impotent teams in the Premier League this season from an attacking perspective, there is quality in that forward line to feast on a Palace defensive process that is offering up more gifts than usual. The away win at 11/5 with Sky Bet is a touch generous.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

Jones Knows' best bet:

The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday's newspapers...

PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham have a £150m transfer war chest available for the January window - The Sun

Manchester United and Liverpool are set to battle for Sheffield Wednesday left-back Yisa Alao - The Sun

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has indicated that he would be happy to join Trabzonspor permanently when his season-long loan ends - Daily Mirror

Man Utd news & transfers🔴

Crystal Palace are likely to rival West Ham in signing Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves in January - The Telegraph

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EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

Barcelona have cooled their interest in Marc Guehi after learning of his wage demands - Sport

Barcelona loanee Marcus Rashford is keen to stay at the club beyond this season - Sport

Bayern Munich are closely monitoring Cardiff City teenager Dylan Lawlor - Talksport

Tottenham Hotspur target Rayan has reportedly cut ties with his agent ahead of the January transfer window - Sport

Juventus are planning to use Jonathan David in a swap deal for Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali - Gazzetta dello Sport

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL