Cole Palmer And Trevoh Chalobah To Start; Enzo Fernandez Out: Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Aston Villa

There is nothing positive to say about Chelsea’s last game against Arsenal. It was an appalling performance and result.

As Mauricio Pochettino said after the match, when they are bad, they are really bad, but the manager has to take his fair share of the blame for this team’s inconsistency.

Despite the amount of money spent on the squad, their mentality has been so poor and it will likely cost Pochettino his job. Not many will give the Blues a chance of getting anything out of the fixture versus Aston Villa this evening.

Press the next page as we predict Chelsea’s starting eleven for the clash at Villa Park.

Goalkeeper and Defence

GK – Djordje Petrovic – didn’t cover himself in glory for Arsenal‘s first goal but Robert Sanchez’s injury means the Serbian will keep his place.

RB – Axel Disasi – Malo Gusto is still undergoing treatment on a knee problem and, with Alfie Gilchrist having struggled on his full debut, the Frenchman is likely to be moved across to right-back.

CB – Trevoh Chalobah – his case for staying at Stamford Bridge this summer was strengthened by the performances of Disasi and Badiashile against the Gunners.

CB – Thiago Silva – the Brazilian is set to leave the Blues at the end of the season and the club will miss him terribly. Another experienced centre-back must be signed to replace him.

LB – Marc Cucurella – the Spaniard is staying in the starting lineup simply because there is nobody else to take his place. Will surely be sold at the end of the season if a buyer can be found.

Midfield

CM – Moises Caicedo – clearly not suited to the lone holding midfield role. Ironically, the injury to Enzo Fernandez may actually help him, as he works better in tandem with Conor Gallagher.

CM – Conor Gallagher – the stand-in captain was very poor at the Emirates but the lack of other options means he is expected to keep his place.

Enzo Fernandez has undergone a hernia operation which will keep him out for the rest of the season. The Argentinian international says he has been suffering with the issue for six months. That explains why he has played so poorly.

AM – Cole Palmer – after missing the defeat to Arsenal due to illness, fans will be delighted to hear that the 21-year-old is back available.

Forwards

RW – Noni Madueke – one of the few who can hold his head up high after threatening Arsenal’s defence on multiple occasions midweek. Deserves to keep his place.

CF – Nicolas Jackson – the striker did everything but finish his chances against the Gunners. How many times have we said that about him this season?

LW – Mykhailo Mudryk – Like with Cucurella and Gallagher, the only reason the Ukrainian will keep his place is because there aren’t many other options.

Raheem Sterling is not expected to be available, having picked an injury in the build-up to the game against Villa.