Aston Villa midfielder issues 'believe' statement ahead of crucial Chelsea clash

The Belgium international midfielder acknowledges it is the kind of match Unai Emery’s men have to win if they are to make up the ground on the top-five.

Villa sit ninth in the Premier League table, four points behind the fifth-placed visitors who currently occupy the final position which will likely earn a spot in next season’s Champions League.

Tielemans said: “Especially toward Chelsea, they are a big opponent for us because we want to be where they are. 

“We want to be close to them, in front of them to get to the Champions League and realise our ambitions coming through. We want to beat them at home, definitely.

“Are we still in the Champions League race? Definitely. We always have to believe. We have a lot of games left but we just need to win games now.”

Wednesday’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool extended Villa’s winless league run to five matches but Tielemans believes they can take big confidence from a performance which saw them go toe-to-toe with the leaders.

The 27-year-old netted his second league goal of the season to cancel out Mo Salah’s opener for the visitors but while Ollie Watkins then headed Villa in front, Trent Alexander-Arnold preserved the Reds’ unbeaten away record with a second half leveller.

Both teams had chances to win it, with visiting striker Darwin Nunez blazing over an open goal.

“I think we just need to carry on with that performance,” said Tielemans. “It was really good.

“We fought really well, created some chances especially toward the end of the game and a point is a point. We take it and move on.”

Villa are through to the last-16 of this season’s Champions League and the fifth round of the FA Cup but have struggled for consistency in the Premier League.

Tielemans continued: “It is just up to us to try and hit the ground running every time and week-in, week-out to try and put a performance in. 

“I think on Wednesday we did that and even though the draw (last Saturday) against Ipswich was frustrating, they defended really well. 

“When we analysed the game, I was still looking for a reason for us not to win that game! Their goalkeeper had a worldie as well. 

“We know we can do better and that we can have better results but I think with the performance like we had tonight, we can be really pleased.

“Chelsea are right in front of us and we want to compete with those teams. The only thing for us now is to hopefully win the game.”

Loan defender Axel Disasi is unavailable to play against his parent club, though boss Emery is hopeful Ezri Konsa could return after less than a fortnight out with a muscle injury. Lamare Bogarde is primed to play alongside Tyrone Mings at centre-back should Konsa not be ready.