This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their Premier League clash with Aston Villa in midweek. This will be based on the latest Blues team news following Liam Rosenior’s press conference as well as the recent selection choices. This is a key outing in the race for Champions League football as the Villans are starting to stutter while their opponents haven’t had a league win in their last three fixtures.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup & Team News vs Aston Villa
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Rob Sanchez has been the first-choice goalkeeper with no competition. Jorrel Hato, Mamadou Sarr, Trevoh Chalobah, and Reece James were the starting back four at the weekend, Wes Fofana was suspended but is the usual partner for Chalobah at the back. Malo Gusto has played on both flanks in the back line.
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Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos have been the preferred midfield pairing as the deeper duo, staying closer together in build-up and shielding the back line. Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, and Pedro Neto has been the attacking midfield lineup due to a lack of other options in recent weeks with Joao Pedro the currently in-form striker.
Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics
Rosenior has primarily kept the 4-2-3-1 that the Blues have used under the last few managers. He aims to keep the ball and bait the press by using the goalkeeper and defenders to hold possession to bring the other team towards them. The pivot staying together does help with playing through the press, as does using the goalkeeper as an extra advanced body to offer a passing option. When on the attack, the team uses overlapping and underlapping runs to occupy the defenders while making risky central passes when needed to avoid becoming predictable.
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After a strong start in the league under the new manager, they are now on a run of three matches in this competition without a win. The draws with Burnley and Leeds were bad enough as they gave away leads in both, but the defeat to Arsenal saw the worst aspects of the team come to the forefront with poor defending and discipline proving costly. Under Rosenior, the side have only kept three clean sheets in 13 attempts, which must improve if they want to make any sort of drive up the table.
Chelsea Team News vs Aston Villa
According to PremierInjuries, the coach could be without seven different players going into this one. Mykhailo Mudryk and Neto are both suspended and will play no part. Levi Colwill and Jamie Gittens are long-term absentees. Estevao, Dario Essugo, and Cucurella have smaller issues but likely won’t be able to feature here.
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There should be no issues with match fitness as the team have had a week off between their last two fixtures, the only concern could be for James who continues to be managed. With Palmer being one of the few options for the attack, he will be risked even if he’s not fully fit.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
GK – Rob Sanchez
LB – Jorrel Hato
CB – Wes Fofana
CB – Trevoh Chalobah
RB – Malo Gusto
DM – Moises Caicedo
DM – Andrey Santos
LW – Enzo Fernandez
AM – Joao Pedro
RW – Cole Palmer
ST – Liam Delap
Featured Image Credit
IMAGO / Every Second Media