Proper football returns this weekend with the blues looking to resume our unbeaten start to the season as Dean Smith’s Aston Villa travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday night. It’s the first of a grueling seven-match stretch over the next three weeks before the next international boredom break at the start of October.
Chelsea have collected seven points from their first three matches of the 2021-22 campaign to occupy fourth spot in the table, while Villa are in 11th with four points to show for their troubles thus far. Thomas Tuchel’s start to the new season has been impressive, recording back-to-back wins over Crystal Palace and Arsenal in their opening two league fixtures before drawing 1-1 with Liverpool before the international break.
The South West Londoners actually took the lead at Anfield through Havertz brilliant header and looked in good shape before the unfortunate red card of Reece James, the incident saw Liverpool awarded a penalty, which Salah scored, but Tuchel’s side managed to leave Merseyside with a welcome point
The Blues are expected to have N’golo Kante, Kai Havertz and Romelu Lukaku available for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa. Lukaku picked up a minor thigh problem while on international duty with Belgium, but appearance in training yesterday, shows that it isn’t a serious injury.
Tuchel will also make two important Changes in his starting XI following Reece James Red card. However the 3-4-3 Lineup below shows how Chelsea could start against Villa.
Mendy is seen in between the sticks, Reece James is out due to his red card against Liverpool before the international break, while Thiago Silva will serve a FIFA-imposed suspension, so Azipilicueta could switch to a right-sided wing-back role, with Trevor Chalobah coming into the back three for the home side. Chilwell is also predicted to make his first 2021/22 appearance for the blues since the UCL final, and this sees Alonso side lined.
N’golo Kante and Jorginho is likely to continue their partnership in the midfield, which might see Saul Niguez sidelined. But he is surely going to make his debut appearance for Chelsea on Saturday, only that it could be from the Bench.
Lukaku’s injury is not thought to be serious, so he is likely to be in the starting XI this weekend, and the former Inter Milan striker could again be supported by Mount and Havertz.