Willian dances in from the right and shoots low, left-footed. Easily blocked.

It seems like Willian and Pedro may well be off this summer, time for some fresh wingers.

The Blues have not won a Premier League match outside of London since beating Watford on 2 November. And that's only just outside.

A very composed start though from the men in black and orange. They win a corner.

Image source, Getty Images

Clinton's an easy man to please on a day out.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Chelsea have started really well on the front foot. They look really sharp.

I can't believe the sprinklers have come on. It's brilliant. Every time I come here something happens.

Nice, flowing attack from Chelsea sees Ruben Loftus-Cheek head powerfully wide. I'd almost forgotten what a powerful figure he is, he shrugged Tyrone Mings off the ball.

A fine for the groundsman, the sprinklers momentarily pop back up!

Chelsea are wearing some Dundee United socks for some reason, bit of a clash there. Mason mount puts in a good-looking ball after Willian runs through the heart of the Villa but the home side deal with it.

Aston Villa win an early free-kick which Jack Grealish and Conor Hourihane make a total hash of. Let's never speak of that again.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Villa need to win their home games. Even without fans, they've got their home surroundings. Most of the teams around them lost or only got a point this weekend. This is a big opportunity. Three points would take them out of the relegation zone and give them confidence for the final weeks.

Silence observed, knees taken, kick-off and go!

Image source, Reuters

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think the game will be won and lost in midfield today.

Villa have to take the lead, otherwise it will be easy for Chelsea to dominate possession.

Frank Lampard and John Terry have a catch-up in the dugouts. Team-mates for so long, foes today.

Wonder if JT is annoyed that Lampard got the Chelsea job before he did?

Course he is.

A win for the hosts would ensure Villa become just the second team in top-flight history to win a match on all seven days of the week within a season, emulating Tottenham in 1986-87.

Here come the sides!

Newcastle United

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle forward Alan Saint-Maximin talking to Sky Sports: "I am really happy. It was important we started with a win.

"You have always to be ready and I am really happy to score.

"I am really happy for Joelinton. He works really hard to score. A striker has difficult times but I hope he can score again now."

Newcastle have 38 points, they're up to 12th in the league table, above Everton.

Very safe.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Tottenham and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Newcastle deserved it but the sending off was crucial but they took advantage of it. It was pretty even before that and could have gone either way. That win for me keeps Newcastle in the Premier League next season.

Image source, Getty Images

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is making his first Premier League start since May 2019 (v Leicester). Indeed, Villa Park was the destination of his first ever goal in the competition aged 20 (April 2016).

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender

Villa's first game back against Sheffield United would have been a great one for them to win given their situation but they did not really do enough.

Yes, they tried to get in and around the Blades but there was no massive urgency.

Dean Smith's side have an advantage in that they have already played once but I am backing Chelsea here. I don't think the Blues will have any problems creating chances, put it that way.

Prediction: 0-2

See Lawro's predictions here

A reminder of the rest of the day's action...

Aston Villa v Chelsea (16:15 BST)

Everton v Liverpool (19:00 BST)

Comprehensive in the end. Joelinton inspired win for Newcastle.