Chelsea have failed to beat Aston Villa in any of the last three meetings at Stamford Bridge but Enzo Maresca's side have an excellent opportunity to end that run on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues have started the season impressively and are unbeaten in their previous five outings, while their weekend opponents are without victory in their past seven matches. With Chelsea flying and Villa stuttering, the former can continue their rise up the Premier League table with victory in west London.
Maresca was fortunate enough to make ten changes to his starting XI midweek for the trip to Heidenheim, leaving Chelsea's first-string lineup fresh for the Villa duel. Other than Reece James and young Omari Kellyman, the Blues seemingly have a full-strength squad for Sunday.
Here is how Chelsea could line up on Sunday.
Enzo Fernández - Argentinian Soccer Player
Enzo Fernandez has been in excellent form / Visionhaus/GettyImages
GK: Robert Sanchez - Filip Jorgensen continues to impress in the cup competitions and is knocking on the door for a Premier League start. However, despite continually shaky displays, Sanchez remains Maresca's preferred number one.
RB: Malo Gusto - With Reece James injured for the foreseeable future, Gusto's return will be welcomed with open arms by Maresca. The Frenchman has missed the last two games but is set to make the XI on Sunday.
CB: Wesley Fofana - Fofana operated at right-back in last weekend's win over Leicester and did a sterling job against his former side. He will be relieved by Gusto's return, however, allowing him to move back to centre-half.
CB: Levi Colwill - Colwill has been an ever-present for Maresca this season and will have to be on high alert against his international teammate Ollie Watkins. The Villa striker has scored on his last two trips to Stamford Bridge.
LB: Marc Cucurella - The Spaniard has re-established himself as the preferred left-back and will be tasked with keeping the lively but inconsistent Leon Bailey quiet. Having stifled Bukayo Saka at Stamford Bridge before the international break, Cucurella won't be overly concerned by Bailey.
DM: Moises Caicedo - Caicedo has helped shore up the Chelsea midfield this season having blossomed under Maresca's guidance. The indefatigable Morgan Rogers will make him earn his wage this weekend.
DM: Enzo Fernandez - Thriving in a box-to-box role last weekend at the King Power Stadium, scoring and assisting in the East Midlands, Fernandez has hugely impressed in recent weeks for club and country.
RW: Noni Madueke - Always a menace in the final third, Madueke must work on becoming a tad more consistent with his final ball. He's earned the backing of Maresca following some impressive performances on the right flank.
AM: Cole Palmer - If it weren't for Madueke blocking his tap-in last weekend, Palmer would have ended his mini-drought. He is now three games without a goal but tends to save his best for Stamford Bridge.
LW: Joao Felix - Pedro Neto is expected to feature in some capacity but Felix showed his ability to offer something unique against Leicester. Drifting more centrally, the Portuguese dazzled with some neat touches and link-up play.
ST: Nicolas Jackson - Jackson produced the finish of a seasoned striker at the King Power as he continued his excellent goalscoring form. The Senegal international's place in the side is assured despite the ruthless Christopher Nkunku breathing down his neck.
READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP
Related Topics