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How Chelsea could line up against Aston Villa

Ahead of Wednesday's Premier League fixture between Chelsea and Aston Villa, Sports Mole looks at how the Blues could line up at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday evening having gone three matches without success in all competitions.

While securing a 2-2 draw away at Valencia in the Champions League was regarded as a respectable result, Chelsea have suffered back-to-back domestic defeats to Manchester City and West Ham United.

However, Frank Lampard's team remain in fourth position in the top-flight standings, six points ahead of nearest rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how the west Londoners may line up for the fixture at Stamford Bridge.


CHEXI VS. AST

Out: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles),
Doubtful: Antonio Rudiger (groin), Ross Barkley (ankle), Tammy Abraham (hip)

Lampard has revealed that Tammy Abraham is yet to prove his fitness after a hip injury, which could lead to no risks being taken on the club's top goalscorer.

While Olivier Giroud was handed a rare outing against the Hammers, Michy Batshuayi appears to be the most likely starter against the west Midlands side.

After dropping down to the substitutes' bench at the weekend, Cesar Azpilicueta, N'Golo Kante and Willian are all expected to be handed recalls.

Reece James, Mateo Kovacic and Pedro may drop out of the first XI as Lampard bids to keep his squad fresh during a hectic schedule.

Antonio Rudiger and Ross Barkley are both close to making their returns from groin and ankle injuries respectively.

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15141037142343
2Leicester CityLeicester1511223592635
3Manchester CityMan City15102343172632
4Chelsea159243021929
5Wolverhampton WanderersWolves155822117423
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd155642318521
7Crystal Palace156361418-421
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs155552523220
9Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd154741715219
10Arsenal154742123-219
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155461522-719
12Burnley155372124-318
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton155371822-418
14Bournemouth154471821-316
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham154471725-816
16Aston Villa154382224-215
17Southampton154381733-1615
18Everton154291627-1114
19Norwich CityNorwich1532101632-1611
20Watford15159930-218

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