Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Jorginho, Armando Broja, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are the senior players who start for Chelsea in their friendly against Aston Villa in Abu Dhabi this evening – but there is no Reece James involved as he continues his comeback from injury.
The match is an opportunity for Graham Potter to get match minutes into several senior members of the Chelsea squad ahead of the resumption of the Premier League season against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on December 27. Several members of the club's Development Squad also have the chance to impress.
With Edouard Mendy yet to return from his post-World Cup break and Kepa Arrizabalaga still sidelined from the injury he sustained against Brighton last month, there is a rare outing for Marcus Bettinelli in goal for the Blues. Summer arrival Eddie Beach is among the substitutes.
