Chelsea are searching for their third consecutive victory in all competitions when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Chelsea have returned from the international break in fine form, beating Leicester City and Heidenheim to extend their unbeaten run to five matches. Enzo Maresca’s side know there will be dropped points between Liverpool and Manchester City in Sunday’s late kick-off and could take advantage earlier in the day.
They face a Villa side short on confidence despite a positive start to the season, with Unai Emery’s side having failed to win any of their last seven matches.
Draws with Crystal Palace and Juventus have steadied the ship after a four-game losing streak but the Villans could do with continuing their impressive Stamford Bridge form on Sunday. They have kept three clean sheets and earned two victories in their last three trips.
Chelsea only have a couple of injury concerns ahead of Villa’s visit, with right-back still potentially an issue for the Blues. Reece James remains sidelined with a hamstring issue and won’t return until 2025, the same injury that is keeping young summer signing Omari Kellyman out of action.
Malo Gusto has missed Chelsea’s last two games but is expected to return on Sunday, as is Pedro Neto after he picked up a knock on international duty with Portugal.
Having made sweeping changes to his starting XI during the midweek win over Hoffenheim, Maresca is likely to field a similar lineup to the one that beat his former employers Leicester last weekend.
Chelsea lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Jackson.
