Aston Villa predicted line-up vs Chelsea - two changes made as £16m defender earns recall

European hopefuls Aston Villa host Chelsea in a game which promises to have a profound impact on the battle for Champions League football.

Unai Emery’s side are without a win in five Premier League matches but did produce an encouraging performance to hold champions elect Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Villa Park. The match saw the likes of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio make their first starts for the Villans since signing in January while Chelsea loanee Axel Diatsi, who is ineligible to face his parent club, also started at the heart of the Lions defence.

Emery faces a number of key selection decisions at both ends of the pitch as he aims to bridge the five point gap between his side and the top four places. However, he will be more than aware that this a golden opportunity to take advantage of Chelsea’s huge dip in form which has seen them win just two of their last eight league matches.

Ahead of what promises to be a pulsating Saturday afternoon of football in the West Midlands, we take a look at Aston Villa’s current injury situation and the line-up that Emery is likely to opt for against the Blues.

Goalkeeper and defence

Emiliano Martinez has been a near ever present in between the posts this term and has a vital role to play if Villa are to keep quiet a Chelsea side containing the likes of Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku. At left-back, Luca Digne, who picked up an assist against Liverpool is likely to start ahead of ex-Blues academy graduate Ian Maatsen.

Former club captain Tyrone Mings is expected to start at centre-back as the club navigate their way through injuries to first choice pairing Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres. However, he will not play alongside Chelsea loanee Axel Diasi, who is ineligible to face his parent club. This means that the inexperienced Lamare Bogarde, who starred on loan at Bristol Rovers last season, will get his chance to shine.

Matty Cash, who came on as a substitute against Liverpool, is expected to replace January signing Andres Garcia in the line-up. The Poland international has played the majority of games since signing from Nottingham Forest for £16m in 2020.

Midfield and attack

Club captain John McGinn and Belgian international Youri Tielemans are expected to start in the box-to-box central midfield role for Villa and will be tasked with winning the battle against Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer. Playing in front of the pair is likely to be three-time Champions League winner Marco Asensio despite strong competition from academy graduate Jacob Ramsey.

In attack, Morgan Rogers has made the wide position his own this season with a series of stellar performances. He has registered six league goals and four assists and is among the team’s star performers. Leading the line is the ever reliable Ollie Watkins, who added to his goal tally against Liverpool. January signing Marcus Rashford impressed on the wing against Liverpool and is expected to keep his place ahead of fellow new recruit Donyell Malen, who is expected to be an option from the bench.

Predicted Aston Villa line-up: Martinez, Digne, Mings, Bogarde, Cash, McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers, Asensio, Rashford, Watkins.