Chelsea XI vs Aston Villa: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today | OneFootball

Blues without at least seven players for tough trip as Enzo Maresca’s fitness woes worsen

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

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Chelsea will be without Noni Madueke for tonight’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa after the winger was ruled out for weeks with a hamstring injury.

Madeuke joins Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu on the Chelsea sidelines, with Maresca suggesting that none of those players are likely to return until the other side of the break in April.

“Noni probably will be out until the international break. The rest, Nico is out, Wes out, Benoit out, Romeo out, Marc Guiu out.

“Probably after the break we can have back most of them, almost all of them. That for us can be a big boost.”

Despite his side’s attacking troubles, Maresca has few options to change things up, with just four fit senior forwards at his disposal, as well as teenager Tyrique George. Mykhailo Mudryk remains provisionally suspended.

Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto will all likely start at Villa Park, though Maresca says academy graduate George will have a part to play in the coming weeks.

“Probably he’s not ready 100 per cent but because of the injuries we have to use the ones we have,” he added. “We need to give him chances and hopefully he can help us.”

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Nkunku

Injured: Madueke, Jackson, Fofana, Lavia, Badiashile, Guiu

Unavailable: Mudryk

Time and date: 5:30pm GMT on Saturday, February 22, 2025

Venue: Villa Park

TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports and NOW