It is back to Premier League action for Chelsea this evening as the Blues take on Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Eight days after Enzo Maresca saw his players being dismantled at Brighton, the Chelsea head coach will be demanding a positive response – not least because he called out his players for having a lack of desire. However, against Villa, they will not have it their own way with Unai Emery‘s men proving yet again in the week – in the 2-2 draw with league leaders Liverpool – that they can go toe to toe with the best teams in the country.
Chelsea have won just two of their last nine Premier League matches, leaving them in sixth-place as they bid to get back in the UEFA Champions League. An upturn in form is needed desperately but to do that, they will have to cope without Noni Madueke, who is set for a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury he suffered at the Amex Stadium last week.
Likewise, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson are still missing through their respective injuries. With six players out in total, it leaves Maresca rather short of options for the trip to the Midlands this evening.
So, how will the Italian line up in Aston? Bobby Vincent has a go at predicting the Chelsea XI that will be fielded later on.
