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Emery wants better from one player | Getty Images
Chelsea could be set to go up against a familiar face this weekend when they face Aston Villa.
Unai Emery has hinted that a familiar face will be in action against Chelsea this weekend. The Blues picked up a big point last time out, coming from behind to draw with Newcastle United after a frantic second half at St James’ Park.
That made it four points from the last two Premier League games for Enzo Maresca’s men, but it only gets tougher this weekend when they welcome an Aston Villa side on a run of 10 straight wins across all competitions.
Villa have stormed into third place, seven points ahead of Chelsea, and they are just three points behind leaders Arsenal, now very much in the title race.
But with such competition within their squad, one player who has struggled to make his mark is former Chelsea loanee Jadon Sancho. Sancho joined Villa on loan in the summer window after the Blues decided to pay an exit clause to get out of a pre-arranged obligation to buy that they had in place.
Sancho actually did well at Stamford Bridge, or at least respectably well, but Chelsea felt they could do better for the money, and so they moved on.
Since joining Villa, Sancho has made 13 appearances across all competitions, but he is yet to register a goal or assist. Though, he has usually been a substitute, with only 127 minutes played in the Premier League so far.
Emery challenges Sancho
After Villa’s win over Manchester United on Sunday, Emery was asked if Sancho will play a bigger part going forward, and he hinted that the England international will be involved against his old loan club.
"Jadon is still young, he has had an amazing career and is now in a moment where he needs to recover his best performance," Emery said.. "I have this challenge with him. He has this challenge with me as well. Of course, he is not playing all the minutes I think he has to.
"But in the second part of the season, I believe in him. He is really being demanding himself to try to get his best moment this season with us. Of course, on Sunday we are finishing December and then starting January soon. The first match back he will play is against Chelsea. He has that challenge with me and himself, and with the club, as well. I believe in him and hopefully we can get it."
One would expect Sancho will have a point to prove to Chelsea, who looked all set to sign him until they decided to pull out of the deal in pretty ruthless fashion. The Blues will have to be aware of that as they look to pull off a statement win heading into the new year.
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