Aston Villa

Aston Villa predicted XI, team and injury news vs Chelsea

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Aston Villa return to domestic action after the international break to a meeting with an inconsistent Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.

Villa have collected an impressive ten points from their last four matches and will be looking to build upon the 3-0 win over Bournemouth they signed off with two weeks ago.

What changes will manager Unai Emery make to the side that started that match for the trip to West London?

How will Aston Villa line up against Chelsea on Saturday?

(4-4-2): Martinez; A.Yong, Konsa, Mings, Alex Moreno; J.Ramsey, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Buendia; Watkins, Bailey

The Spaniard has the choice of veteran Ashley Young or Ezri Konsa, who has deputised capably at full-back in the past, but the Englishman seems the more likely option as he started six out of the seven games after the World Cup break.

If he is not chosen to step into Cash’s role, Konsa would be expected to partner Tyrone Mings in the centre of defence, with Alex Moreno keeping his place at left-back ahead of Lucas Digne.

However, Emery could call upon Brazilian central defender Diego Carlos who is likely to be in the matchday squad for the first time since rupturing his Achilles tendon back in August.

The 30-year-old played 67 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Bristol Rovers this week and is a welcome return for the final stretch of the season.

Ollie Watkins reacts after his goal is disallowed after a VAR review

Ollie Watkins reacts after his goal is disallowed after a VAR review

In the midfield, Boubacar Kamara is still not quite ready to return from an ankle problem, so John McGinn and Douglas Luiz will look to continue their impressive partnership in that central area.

Leander Dendoncker will return to the squad on Saturday but, given his lack of game time in recent weeks, it will be too soon for the Belgian to start in a fixture of this magnitude.

Jacob Ramsey scored and then captained England’s under-21s this week, against France and Croatia respectively, and will start again on the right of midfield while, on the left, Emi Buendia is expected to feature with Philippe Coutinho still sidelined with his hamstring injury.

Ollie Watkins will look to become the first Villa player ever to score in five-straight away Premier League games, and will likely be partnered up-front by Leon Bailey who is tipped to get the nod ahead of John Duran.

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