Chelsea make the trip to play Aston Villa on Saturday evening in quite an important Premier League fixture for both sides.
Villa enter the weekend’s top-flight fixtures sitting ninth in the Premier League table, while visitors Chelsea are in sixth position.
Villa manager Unai Emery calls Chelsea a “very good test” going into Saturday’s league showdown.
The Blues suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Brighton in their previous game, which resulted in them losing their grip on fourth place. Interestingly, the top five could seal Champions League qualification for next season because of the success of English clubs in Europe.
Ahead of the game against Villa, the Chelsea injury list now includes Noni Madueke after he picked up a hamstring problem in the Brighton loss. He joins injured teammates such as Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana and Nicolas Jackson on the sidelines.
Predicted Chelsea XI to face Aston Villa
Without a doubt, both Villa and Chelsea will be desperate for three points to help their respective European pushes this campaign.
In the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, the Blues cruised to a 3-0 home win over Villa. The team is not playing with the same sort of confidence or rhythm in this moment, though.
All eyes will be on Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca to see if he can get his team back on track after the inconsistent form in 2025. We think there could be three changes to the starting XI to the side that were comprehensively beaten by Brighton the last time they played.
Here is how we anticipate Chelsea’s team lining up away to Villa.
Filip Jorgensen
Following a recent change of heart from the manager, Filip Jorgensen is now the first-choice goalkeeper who’s set to start the remaining league games this season. He’d surely love a clean sheet because he’s conceded seven times in his opening four Premier League matches.
Reece James
The first of three changes could see Reece James recalled to the line-up at the expense of Malo Gusto in the right-back position. Even though Maresca is being cautious with James because of his poor injury record, the club captain is surely needed from the start in such a big fixture.
Tosin Adarabioyo
In the second change to the team selection, Trevoh Chalobah may drop out to make room for Tosin Adarabioyo at centre-back.
Levi Colwill
Levi Colwill retains his spot in the predicted XI as a real favourite under the current management, but the centre-half has got to try raise his own individual levels to rediscover his early-season form. Colwill’s future at Chelsea is safe as the academy graduate continues to be an ever-present in the backline.
Marc Cucurella
To complete the back four, Marc Cucurella keeps going at left-back with his infectious energy.
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo slots into the defensive midfield role like usual. In the Villa showdown, he could have a real big job on his hands against the likes of John McGinn and Youri Tielemans.
Enzo Fernandez
It’s a pretty familiar central midfield combination with Enzo Fernandez partnering Caicedo once again.
Pedro Neto
Pedro Neto could get the opportunity to start in his favoured spot on the right wing on Saturday, which would be a huge chance for him to prove his doubters wrong.
Cole Palmer
Like always, Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer will surely be starting again in his preferred No 10 role. His aim will be to break a run of five consecutive appearances across all competitions without scoring or assisting. Palmer has little movement around him, which emphasises how much they miss Jackson in attack.
Jadon Sancho
The third and final change could see Jadon Sancho promoted to the starting XI due to Madueke’s enforced omission through injury. Chelsea youngster Tyrique George may start in what would be his maiden Premier League start, but we think Maresca may favour experience away from home.
Christopher Nkunku
Finally, Christopher Nkunku is picked to lead the line again as he tries to cover the striker position to the best of his abilities. It’s a tough job for him to play centre-forward while Jackson and Marc Guiu are both unavailable through injury.
