Chelsea vs Aston Villa score prediction made as Enzo Maresca sent Nicolas Jackson message

Chelsea can make a real statement this weekend if they secure all three points against Aston Villa.

The Blues welcome Unai Emery's side to Stamford Bridge on Sunday knowing a win could propel them up to second, if results go their way. Villa, meanwhile are winless in four Premier League matches and look like they are starting to feel the effects of playing Champions League football.

Harry Redknapp believes Enzo Maresca's side have enough quality to beat Villa, with Redknapp predicting a 2-1 home win. Speaking to football betting site BetVictor, Redknapp said: "This should be a good game, particularly with the way Chelsea have been playing. I really like watching them play, they have so much quality going forward and create plenty of chances.

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"Aston Villa are going through a bit of a tough spell at the minute. I can’t really put my finger on what’s going wrong, but they aren’t really getting the breaks. Chelsea can go six points above Villa with a win, and I think they’ll get it."

Asked for his player to watch, Redknapp said: "I don’t think Nicolas Jackson gets enough appreciation; people forget his age. He never stops running and his movement is excellent at times."

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton agrees with Redknapp and is backing Chelsea to also win 2-1. Writing in his weekly BBC column, Sutton said: "Aston Villa have not been firing on all cylinders recently but they were unlucky not to beat Juventus on Wednesday, after having a late winner ruled out.

"I captained Villa keeper Emi Martinez in my Fantasy team last weekend because I had not kept many clean sheets and just had a gut feeling they would keep Crystal Palace out - and of course they conceded after four minutes. Martinez is an outstanding goalkeeper, the best in the Premier League, but I cannot see him keeping a clean sheet this week either.

"I am backing Chelsea to take this one. They were too strong for Leicester last weekend and while Cole Palmer did not deliver, Nicolas Jackson keeps on scoring and looks like a different player compared to last season."

Mark Lawrenson, meanwhile, is predicting an upset of sorts, with the former Liverpool man predicting a Aston Villa victory. In his weekly Paddy Power column, Lawrenson said: "This looks like a good game and Chelsea are hanging on in there in 3rd.

"I thought they’d wane a little bit but it looks like Enzo Maresca knows his best side, his best midfield. He’s probably delighted he left Leicester as well! Villa have flat lined a bit and they’ve had loads of games recently. That said, I’m going to go for a bit of an upset and for Villa to liven up and sneak it. Chelsea 1-2 Aston Villa."