Chalobah And Kovacic To Start, Kante Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Aston Villa

Content Editor

3 years ago

Categories: Chelsea News, Galleries, Match Previews

Tags: Aston Villa, Chelsea, N'Golo Kante, Trevoh Chalobah

After a courageous performance to hold out for a 1-1 draw at Anfield last time out, Chelsea will be confident heading into the match against Aston Villa tomorrow evening.

The Villans have had a mixed start to the campaign, losing their season opener against Watford before racking up four points in home games versus Newcastle and Brentford.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel could be without some key players for the fixture, with neither N’Golo Kante nor Thiago Silva expected to be available, while Reece James is also suspended after his sending off against Liverpool.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting lineup to take on Villa.

GK – Edouard Mendy

The Senegalese international had some long-range shots to deal with at Anfield but he was rarely called into action despite his side being down to ten men for the second half.

That is testament to the fact that Mendy has great protection in front of him, although he is rarely found wanting when his services are called upon.

RWB – Cesar Azpilicueta

With James unavailable, it is more than likely that the club captain will be tasked with taking up the wingback role at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

There is a case to be made for Callum Hudson-Odoi but the winger’s lack of match action under Tuchel so far this season does suggest he is quite a way down the pecking order currently.

CB – Trevoh Chalobah

Tuchel trusted the centre-back for the UEFA Super Cup final and the first league game of the campaign against Crystal Palace so he won’t have any issue with giving him another start this weekend.

Chalobah has been solid defensively and strong on the ball when he has been afforded game time and he will need to show those traits again when the Blues take on a threatening Villa attack.

CB – Andreas Christensen

The Danish international has looked imperious in the centre of defence in recent weeks, and Tuchel will be keen for him to maintain this level of form.

Christensen is reportedly close to signing a new contract and, with his current deal expiring in the summer, keeping him would be a huge boost.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

The German international has been extremely consistent during the opening month of the season, and he’s now undoubtedly one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Fans will be, therefore, disappointed to hear that Rudiger is unlikely to sign a new contract, with the 28-year-old looking likely to leave the Blues in the summer.

LWB – Marcos Alonso

Tuchel will want the Spaniard’s attacking qualities for the Villa clash so Ben Chilwell is expected to remain on the sidelines for another week.

Alonso didn’t really put a foot wrong against Liverpool either so, for the time being at least, the 30-year-old’s position in the starting eleven cannot be disputed.

CM – Jorginho

Fans saw another side to the Italian’s game as he worked extremely hard to screen Chelsea’s backline in the second half at Anfield.

Hopefully, we’ll see more of Jorginho in possession against Villa, dictating play from deep and producing some of his trademark through balls to open up the opposition defence.

CM – Mateo Kovacic

N’Golo Kante has still not been seen out on the training pitch this week so it seems unlikely he’ll be fit to start tomorrow evening.

Saul Niguez probably won’t be thrown in the deep end straight away, and with Kovacic waiting to step in, you would have to think the Croatian is in line for a start.

RW – Mason Mount

It’s exciting to see how well the England international is linking up with Romelu Lukaku already, and the combination work in the front three, along with Kai Havertz, looks like it can cause problems for any team.

The trio work in close proximity, which means they are able to drag defenders out of position and create chances.

CF – Romelu Lukaku

There was an injury scare on international duty for the Belgian but he has been pictured back in training ahead of the Villa clash.

Lukaku was able to give as good as he got against Virgil van Dijk at Anfield, and he will be very confident about dominating the likes of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa tomorrow.

LW – Kai Havertz

Whether he meant his header against Liverpool, it doesn’t really matter, the German is consistently making an impact in big games, which was why the Blues spent £72m on him in the first place.

Havertz can still drift in and out of matches but that consistency will likely come with more experience.