Cole Palmer has shaken off fitness fears to face Aston Villa in a tricky Premier League test this evening.
Palmer received treatment midway through Sunday’s defeat at Arsenal, and is “absolutely fine” to start at Villa Park, according to Liam Rosenior.
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Chelsea face the side fourth in the Premier League table and two places above them as they hunt for a first league win in four matches.
Estevao and Marc Cucurella both missed the Burnley draw and Arsenal defeat due to hamstring injuries, but the latter returns to the squad on the bench here, with Jorrel Hato at left-back once more.
Rosenior gave a fitness update on his squad when he spoke at his press conference on Monday afternoon.
“It wasn’t [his groin],” Rosenior said about the issue Palmer had against Arsenal. “He took a knock. He was absolutely fine.
“He’s looking really good after the way we’ve managed him over the last six weeks or so. When I took him and Enzo [Fernandez] off, they were both on a yellow card. He’ll be absolutely fine to start on Wednesday.
“Cucurella is looking really good. Estevao is back on the pitch running.
“Jamie Gittens is doing well. The quicker we get players fit and healthy, the better.”
Wesley Fofana is back available after serving a suspension against Arsenal, and he comes back inton the side here.
Rosenior will not be able to call on Pedro Neto, who is misses the trip through suspension due to his sending-off against the Gunners.
It leaves Alejandro Garnacho to start on the left wing, given that Gittens and Estevao are out.
Gittens suffered a tear in his hamstring in the first half of the 3-2 win over West Ham last month.
Levi Colwill is a long-term absentee and remains out with a knee injury, while Dario Essugo has been doing a modified training programme.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Hato; Caicedo, James; Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
Subs: Sanchez, Badiashile, Sarr, Tosin, Cucurella, Santos, Lavia, Delap, Guiu
Injured: Gittens, Colwill, Essugo
Suspended: Neto
Time and date: 7.30pm GMT today, Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Venue: Villa Park
How to watch: TNT Sports 3
