Villa are level on points with 10th-placed Chelsea, only behind on goal difference. Emery's side are in a similar run of form to their opponents, as they are unbeaten in their last four.

They have also won three of those games and Emery is looking forward to a tough test in west London. He added: "For us, Saturday is a match against one of the best teams in the Premier League, with a very good coach, with very good Players.

"It’s a very good challenge, and I came here because I want to play against the best teams. We are in the same position.

"We are 11th but are close and with the same points as Chelsea. We are close to teams that are having a very good season – Fulham, Brentford, Brighton. We are excited by the prospect, for the first time, to be close to them."

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