Chelsea face Aston Villa away from home this evening in the Premier League and football.london has a go at predicting the Blues line-up Enzo Maresca will field at Villa Park
It is back to Premier League action for Chelsea this evening as the Blues take on Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Eight days after Enzo Maresca saw his players being dismantled at Brighton, the Chelsea head coach will be demanding a positive response - not least because he called out his players for having a lack of desire. However, against Villa, they will not have it their own way with Unai Emery's men proving yet again in the week - in the 2-2 draw with league leaders Liverpool - that they can go toe to toe with the best teams in the country.
Chelsea have won just two of their last nine Premier League matches, leaving them in sixth-place as they bid to get back in the UEFA Champions League. An upturn in form is needed desperately but to do that, they will have to cope without Noni Madueke, who is set for a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury he suffered at the Amex Stadium last week.
Likewise, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson are still missing through their respective injuries. With six players out in total, it leaves Maresca rather short of options for the trip to the Midlands this evening.
So, how will the Italian line up in Aston? Bobby Vincent has a go at predicting the Chelsea XI that will be fielded later on.
GK: Filip Jorgensen
Jorgensen has started the last two Premier League games and seems to be Maresca's No.1 goalkeeper. What helps him at the moment is that he is not Robert Sanchez, but equally, you feel as if he needs a big game to prove himself to the Chelsea faithful.(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport)
James was named on the bench at Brighton last week. Malo Gusto actually did well in the defeat at the Amex Stadium, but James is expected to come back into the XI this evening. The captain gives Chelsea a whole different dynamic when he is on the field.(Image: Bryn Lennon)
Trevoh Chalobah struggled at Brighton and while it might seem harsh to drop him, Maresca could turn to Tosin today. Tosin has done well - for the most part - when called upon in his debut season with the club.(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
A man completely out of form. Colwill, though, remains one of Chelsea's strongest defenders - and we know Maresca likes to play with a right footer and left footer at the heart of his back line. Hopefully he can be played back into form; the sort of form we saw from the England international at the start of the season.(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport)
Not too many options at left-back. Gusto can play there, but Cucurella is expected to keep his spot on the left-hand side of defence.(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport)
One of the first names on the team sheet. Caicedo's season as a whole has been brilliant. The Ecuadorian will need to be at his absolute best today if Chelsea are to take three points from Villa Park.(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
A slight dip in form for Fernandez but given the side's drop off, it is hardly surprising. It is not for a lack of trying for the Argentine, who has fond memories from previous trips to Villa Park.(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
With Madueke out, Neto could be the man Maresca gives the nod to on the right wing. The Portuguese inspired Chelsea to come back against West Ham United - the Blues' last win - earlier in the month but since then, in back-to-back defeats to Brighton in the FA Cup and Premier League, the winger has really struggled.(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport)
Not at his best recently, granted, but there is absolutely no doubt Palmer starts at Villa Park. Today could be the day his form takes a turn. Fingers crossed.(Image: Glyn Kirk/AFP)
Perhaps a surprise. George was really bright in his second-half cameo at Brighton - making runs in behind that simply were not there from his more senior teammates. Jadon Sancho has been poor recently and deserves to be dropped to the bench.(Image: Chelsea Football Club)
Not too many other options. Maresca hinted earlier in the month that he could use Neto, George or Madueke there but there is an expectation he persists with Nkunku for this one. Let's be brutal about this: he needs to show something - and fast.(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)