Neto To Return? | Predicted 4-2-3-1 Chelsea Lineup To Face Aston Villa | OneFootball

Chelsea are not only leading the Europa Conference League standings but also pushing Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League title hunt. They are currently third in the league standings and a win against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon could see them emerge as serious contenders under Enzo Maresca.

The Villans are struggling of late as they are without a win in the past seven fixtures across competitions. Although they have held a superior record at Stamford Bridge over the past couple of years, the high-flying Blues are firm favourites to break the hoodoo and exhibit supremacy in their own backyard.

Predicted 4-2-3-1 Chelsea Lineup To Face Aston Villa

Defence

While the gaffer has relied on Filip Jörgensen in Cup and Conference League contests, Robert Sanchez has been the ‘number 1’ in Premier League games. The Spaniard should keep his place and aim for a clean sheet after narrowly missing it out versus Leicester City in the previous gameweek.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 27: Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea scores a goal past Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa which was later ruled out for offside during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea FC at Villa Park on April 27, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Reece James is out again with fresh injury woes, but the Blues are expected to have Malo Gusto back in the right-back role. Wesley Fofana featured as a makeshift fullback last weekend but should shift to his usual central defensive role alongside the ever-present Levi Colwill. Benoît Badiashile would make way despite a composed display versus the Foxes, however, Marc Cucurella remains irreplaceable for his flair, aggression and finesse from the left.

Midfield

After a difficult start to life in West London, Moises Caicedo has settled in expertly deep down the midfield. Maresca has rotated Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia for the other ‘number six’ slot. But the Argentine’s match-winning display at King Power should see him form a ‘double pivot’ ahead of the Belgian youngster.

Cole Palmer is enjoying another blistering spell with 7 goals and 5 assists in 12 league games. He blanked in the last few outings, but his creative spark and movements in and around the box would be menacing for Villa defence. Pedro Neto, likely to be back from a minor fitness issue, might replace Joao Felix down the left-hand flank. Meanwhile, Noni Madueke has cemented his status on the right thanks to his swift footwork, dribbling and cut-insides. Besides Felix, Mykhailo Mudryuk, Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku offer depth and quality in the attacking third.

Attack

Nicolas Jackson has been exquisite while spearheading the attack. The Senegalese ‘number 9’ has resolved Chelsea’s conundrum high up the pitch and he must maintain his scoring streak in the Premier League.