Aston Villa play tomorrow at 7:45 a.m. EDT.
Yeah, I’m not getting up. Not sure if I care more about this biochemistry class I’m literally never going to use again in my life or Villa’s result. Probably neither.
It’s the Claret and Blues against the other, kinda-really-more-talented unmitigated disaster in the Premier League this year. Yay!
What to know about Villa
Well, Rémi Garde is gone. I feel for the guy, as this was (in hindsight) obviously never going to work.
And on that whole "never going to work" thing, Villa aren’t staying up. They’ve got 1.97 feet (scientific measure!) in the Championship. It’s neat!
But with the changing of the guard — get it, see what I did there? I think I put more work into that joke than Villa have into the entire season — Eric Black takes over and I already like this guy a lot for suspending Gabby Agbonlahor. I mean, I couldn’t care less about what Gabby does on international break, since lord knows his England chance evaded him years ago, but he deserves to be suspended for being the main veteran figure presiding over the worst extended period at B6 for quite some time.
With Black in charge, for me, it’s the perfect time to see what the club’ve got with the youth. Granted, Black probably isn’t here to stay, but whoever the manager is would benefit greatly from seeing guys like André Green and Jordan Lyden getting an extended run in the XI.
Regardless, we know the current crew simply isn’t getting the job done in the Premier League. Understanding what else is at the club would benefit Villa greatly heading into a crucial summer — and that knowledge could be the difference between making the right buys to return to the top flight at the first attempt and squandering the chance and becoming the next Leeds United.
What to know about Chelsea
On the plus side, Chelsea really don’t have much to play for. I mean, I guess the Europa League is kind of within reach, but with a good chance of a side outside the top six taking home the FA Cup, it’s hard to see them catching West Ham United or one of the Manchester Clubs who’re 9 or 10 points ahead of them.
That’s a place where Tim Sherwood’s Villa took advantage down the stretch last year, winning against clubs that really didn’t have anything to play for. It’d be neat to see that happen again, but on the other hand, I have no desire to get any remaining hopes up about survival.
Anyway, Chelsea are talented, but they’ve been trash this year. Not as bad as Villa, though!
The odds
You’re not betting on this match, right? Please tell me you aren’t.
Bovada: Villa 19/4, Chelsea 10/17, Draw 59/20
Paddy Power: Villa 5/1, Chelsea 3/5, Draw 29/10
SkyBet: Villa 11/2, Chelsea 8/15, Draw 3/1
The prediction
Seriously, watch something else.
I don’t know, Villa get a goal to give hope and lose 3-1 anyway.