Date: Friday 26th January, 2024
Time: 8:45 pm
Stadium Stamford Bridge
Referee Robert Jones (England)
Goal Scorer:
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino might receive some positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Aston Villa on Friday, the Chelsea manager will be bereft of the services of at least seven first-team players.
Malo Gusto (knock) and Christopher Nkunku (hip) are closing in on returning to action. But they might not be fit enough to feature from the get-go. Meanwhile, Robert Sanchez (knee), Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Romeo Lavia (thigh), and Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring) remain on the sidelines.
In addition, Nicolas Jackson remains unavailable due to his commitments with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations. Chelsea will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Aston Villa, with Djordje Petrovic taking his spot between the sticks. Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, and Ben Chilwell should form the backline.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the double pivot. The duo will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park and keep Douglas Luiz quiet. Finally, a fluid attacking quartet should feature Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Conor Gallagher, and Noni Madueke, with Palmer featuring as the makeshift striker.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Disasi, Badiashile, Colwill, Chilwell; Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Madueke, Gallagher, Sterling; Palmer
Aston Villa
Like his counterpart in the Chelsea dugout, Unai Emery does not have any new issues hampering his preparations ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge. The Aston Villa manager will be without four first-team players.
There is some good news, with Pau Torres (ankle), Jacob Ramsey (thigh), and Robin Olsen (knock) likely to feature in the matchday squad on Friday. But Tyrone Mings (knee), Lucas Digne (hamstring), and Emiliano Buendia (knee) remain in the treatment room. In addition, Jhon Duran, a target for Chelsea, is unavailable after picking up a knock.
Meanwhile, Bertrand Traore is with Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations and remains unavailable. Emiliano Martinez should take his usual spot between the sticks, with Aston Villa lining up in a 4-4-2 formation in front of him against Chelsea. Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Alex Moreno should complete the numbers in the backline.
As for the midfield unit, the onus will be on Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara, and John McGinn will look to run the show. The trio will also put in the hard yards behind the ball. Leon Bailey will complete the numbers in the midfield department, although he will take up advanced positions. Finally, Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby should be the two strikers for Aston Villa.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Moreno; Bailey, Luiz, Kamara, McGinn; Watkins, Diaby
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa
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