Chelsea predicted lineup vs Aston Villa - Premier League | OneFootball

Chelsea are looking to end their run of six away games without victory when they visit Aston Villa in the Premier League in Saturday's late kick-off.

The Blues' charge for Champions League qualification has decelerated since the turn of the year and they have won just three times across all competitions in 2025. They can still finish the weekend in the top four, however, but will have to win at Villa Park to leapfrog their competitors.

Back-to-back defeats at Brighton & Hove Albion suggest victory will be far from straightforward against Unai Emery's well-oiled machine. Injuries across their forward line will only make things more challenging for Enzo Maresca.

Here is how Chelsea could line up in the West Midlands.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)

Cole Palmer is enduring a mini drought / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

GK: Filip Jorgensen - Robert Sanchez's increasingly error-prone performances have seen Jorgensen replace him between the sticks. Unfortunately, it hasn't solved Chelsea's issues in defence.

RB: Reece James - Chelsea continue to be understandably cautious with James' playing time given his injury record, with the Englishman potentially replacing Malo Gusto in the starting lineup against Villa. He could tangle with international compatriot Marcus Rashford.

CB: Trevoh Chalobah - Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo have shared game time since injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, with both having produced mixed performances while filling in.

CB: Levi Colwill - The defender was one of Chelsea's more credible performers against Brighton last time out but will have an even sterner test up against England teammate Ollie Watkins. The Villa striker has six goal contributions in his last five outings.

LB: Marc Cucurella - Cucurella struggled on the south coast last time out and will be given the runaround by some tricky wide players at Villa Park.

DM: Moises Caicedo - The Ecuadorian will have to contain Morgan Rogers or Marco Asensio on Saturday, both of whom pose different but serious threats.

DM: Enzo Fernandez - Fernandez scored in a 3-1 FA Cup victory at Villa Park last season and Maresca will be hopeful he can produce some heroics on Saturday with Chelsea struggling in the final third.

RW: Pedro Neto - The Portuguese will provide plenty of endeavour in the Midlands if nothing else. He's likely to shift over to the right flank given Noni Madueke is missing until after the March international break.

AM: Cole Palmer - Palmer hasn't looked himself in recent weeks and is now five games without a goal or assist. For him, that's a lengthy drought, and he will be desperate to get back among the goals against a side he scored and assisted against earlier this term.

LW: Jadon Sancho - Sancho will come into the starting XI for the injured Madueke and Chelsea will want him to increase his output in his compatriot's absence. The 24-year-old hasn't scored since early December and is without an assist in seven.

ST: Christopher Nkunku - Having dominated the cup competitions, Nkunku has found life much tougher in the Premier League. He offered absolutely nothing at the Amex Stadium last time out and needs to improve in the absence of Nicolas Jackson.