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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dom Smith

Chelsea XI vs Aston Villa: Starting lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for Premier League

Estevao is fit again in a major boost for Enzo Maresca - (AFP via Getty Images)

Estevao is set to return from injury when Chelsea play Aston Villa.

The Brazilian has missed away games at Cardiff and Newcastle with a small muscular injury but is back available.

FOLLOW CHELSEA VS ASTON VILLA LIVE!

Liam Delap is also fit again after three weeks out with a shoulder problem and joins his Brazilian team-mate on the bench.

Maresca has also confirmed that Cole Palmer is ready to play 90 minutes after being carefully managed through his four appearances since returning from the groin injury that kept him out for more than two months.

Enzo Fernandez was a substitute at Newcastle on December 20 and he comes back into midfield as captain Reece James returns to right-back.

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.

Confirmed team news

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Joao Pedro

Subs: Jorgensen, Fofana, Tosin, Acheampong, Gusto, Santos, Estevao, Gittens, Delap

Injured: Essugo, Lavia, Colwill

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

Venue: Stamford Bridge

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