MX23RW : Wednesday, June 24 04:39:56| >> :120:17206:17206:
Jun 21, 2020 at 4.15pm UK at Villa Park
Aston VillaAston Villa
1-2
ChelseaChelsea
Hause (43')
Konsa (45'), Grealish (90+6')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Pulisic (60'), Giroud (62')
Kante (90+4')

How Chelsea could line up against Aston Villa

Sports Mole looks at how Chelsea could line up for Sunday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa, their first game in more than 100 days due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Chelsea return to Premier League action for the first time since March 8 on Sunday when they take on relegation-threatened Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Frank Lampard's side resume their campaign sitting fourth in the table, just three points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United in a competitive battle for Champions League places.

The Blues went into lockdown in good form, though, and will look to pick up where they left off in a week which has also seen them confirm the signing of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.

The Germany international will not be available until next season, but here Sports Mole looks at how Chelsea could line up for their first game back.



Possible CHE XI vs. AVL

Out: Jorginho (suspended), Fikayo Tomori (muscle), Marco van Ginkel (knee)
Doubtful: Callum Hudson-Odoi (ankle), Reece James (knock), Andreas Christensen (finger), N'Golo Kante (fitness)

> Click here for Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Chelsea will be without the suspended Jorginho for this match as he serves the second of his two-game ban for accumulating 10 yellow cards, although his absence has been eased somewhat by the emergence of Billy Gilmour.

The Scottish midfielder began to earn plaudits for his performances immediately before lockdown and is expected to fill in for Jorginho again this weekend as he looks to advance his first-team credentials.

N'Golo Kante is a minor doubt having returned to training later than most of his teammates due to concerns over coronavirus, although he is now back and has featured in a practice match, so he should be available for selection.

Lampard also has long-term absentee Ruben Loftus-Cheek back in contention, while the three-month break has given the likes of Tammy Abraham and Mateo Kovacic the chance to return to fitness too.

Speculation over Pedro's future could mean that he has played his final game for Chelsea while Callum Hudson-Odoi has been ruled out due to an ankle problem, but Willian and Christian Pulisic are both available.

Chelsea also have a couple of injury concerns in defence with Fikayo Tomori out and the likes of Andreas Christensen and Reece James doubtful, but Lampard should be able to name the same back four that started against Everton in their final match before lockdown.

ID:403076:

Who will win Sunday's Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Chelsea?

Aston Villa
Draw
Chelsea
Aston Villa
9.3%
Draw
7.5%
Chelsea
83.2%
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RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner pictured in January 2020
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool30272166214583
2Manchester CityMan City30203776314563
3Leicester CityLeicester31167859293055
4Chelsea30156953401351
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd301210845311446
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves30111364334946
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs31129105041945
8Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd30111183028244
9Crystal Palace30119102832-442
10Arsenal3091384141040
11Burnley30116133445-1139
12Everton30108123746-938
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle30108122841-1338
14Southampton30114153852-1437
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton31712123441-733
16Watford30610142845-1728
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham3176183554-1927
18Bournemouth3076172949-2027
19Aston Villa3075183558-2326
20Norwich CityNorwich3056192555-3021

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