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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dom Smith

Chelsea XI vs Aston Villa: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League

Chelsea predicted XI - (London Standard)

Chelsea will be boosted by the return of Estevao and Liam Delap for Saturday’s match against Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The Blues have both players available after they returned from injury.

Estevao sat out of the away trips to Cardiff and Newcastle with a small muscular injury, but is now back available for the visit of Villa.

Delap, meanwhile, has been out since a shoulder injury forced him off in the goalless draw with Bournemouth on December 6, missing four games.

But both are back available in a boost to the Chelsea head coach, who also confirmed on Christmas Eve that Cole Palmer is finally ready to play a full 90 minutes after being carefully managed through his four appearances since returning from a groin injury that saw him unavailable for more than two months.

Maresca opted to use Enzo Fernandez as a substitute at St James’ Park on December 20 and must decide whether to reintroduce the Argentine to his starting line-up or keep faith with captain Reece James as Moises Caicedo’s midfield partner.

Maresca will name a strong team against the side sat immediately above Chelsea in third place in the Premier League table.

Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill all remain absent with longer-term injuries.

Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, James; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro

Injured: Essugo, Lavia, Colwill

Time and date: 5:30pm GMT on Saturday, December 27, 2025

Venue: Stamford Bridge

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