The latest injury updates as Aston Villa face Chelseaplaceholder image
The latest injury updates as Aston Villa face Chelsea | Getty Images/ Canva
The latest injury updates from both sides as Aston Villa travel to Chelsea
Surprise title hopefuls Aston Villa travel to the capital this weekend to take on Champions League hopefuls Chelsea in one of the most highly-anticipated matches of the festive period. Villa are currently on their best winning run in more than 110 years after recording 10 consecutive victories across all competitions, including a 2-1 win over Man Utd last time out.
They sit comfortably in third position, just three points behind title favourites Arsenal, and are incredibly seven points clear of fourth placed Chelsea and defending champions Liverpool heading into the half-way stage of the campaign. Villa last won a league title in 1981 and currently find themselves in their strongest position at this stage of the campaign since Christmas 1998 when they took a surprise lead in the title race before falling down to sixth.
Chelsea, who drew 2-2 with Newcastle United at the weekend, still remain a work in progress, but they have proven on numerous occasions under Enzo Maresca that they are capable of beating just about any team put in front of them when they are in full flow.
Both sides know they’ll need to be at their best to pick up a positive result. With that in mind, we take a look inside both camps to assess all the early injury concerns and confirmed absentees.
Chelsea injury news
Chelsea are likely to be without summer signing Liam Delap due to a shoulder problem. The former Ipswich Town star hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since relocating to the capital. He’s a big doubt heading into this one but should return by early January.
Estevao is in a similar position when it comes to his recovery. He’s a slight doubt heading into this one but could make the bench if he passes a late fitness test.
Romeo Lavia is set to miss out with a thigh problem. He’s scheduled to return in January to provide further competition in the middle of the park. Dario Luis Essugo also has a thigh problem but hasn’t got a return date lined up just yet. The same applies to Mykhailo Mudryk, who is serving a suspension over allegations of breaching Anti-Doping Rule Violations.
Central defender Levi Colwill is unlikely to feature at all this season after sustaining an ACL injury in a devastating blow to his World Cup hopes.
Aston Villa injury news
Harvey Elliott’s disastrous start to life at Aston Villacontinued at the weekend when he missed the squad for the ninth game in a row. The Liverpool loanee missed the last match due to illness but is expected to return to training although that’s far from enough to guarantee him a place in Emery’s starting squad.
Emiliano Martinez returned against Manchester United and is expected to keep his place in between the posts following a short injury lay off. Jadon Sancho is in contention to return against his former club. He was ineligible to face his parent club last time out.
Tyrone Mings misses out with a calf problem that’s likely to keep him out until January. Evann Guessand misses out due to AFCON duties and Ross Barkley is on the sidelines until February with a knee issue.
Pau Torres is a doubt with a calf issue, but could return before the end of 2025. The defender, who was signed for £35m in 2023, will likely be assessed in midweek to see if he’s ready for a comeback.
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