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Chelsea predicted XI vs. Aston Villa: 4-3-3 stays despite struggles

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea interacts with Marvelous Nakamba of Aston Villa after the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea FC at Villa Park on June 21, 2020 in Birmingham, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Tallis/Pool via Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea interacts with Marvelous Nakamba of Aston Villa after the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea FC at Villa Park on June 21, 2020 in Birmingham, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Tallis/Pool via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s French midfielder N’Golo Kante (L) runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on June 21, 2020. (Photo by MOLLY DARLINGTON / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MOLLY DARLINGTON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s French midfielder N’Golo Kante (L) runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on June 21, 2020. (Photo by MOLLY DARLINGTON / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MOLLY DARLINGTON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

N’Golo Kante (No. 7) Defensive midfielder, France

N’Golo Kante once again led Chelsea in interceptions and tackles against Arsenal. If more players had played like him, perhaps the result would have been better. That said, Kante gave away a foul in a dangerous position that in hindsight, wasn’t necessary, but hindsight is 20/20. Kante was never just a defensive midfielder, he is whatever Lampard wants him to be, but there is something fundamentally wrong when Kante is one getting on the end of crosses. Chelsea has an advantage when the Frenchman plays in the fact that every player that has played alongside him knows what he brings to the table. It is telling that the France players were singing his name when they won the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Mason Mount (No. 19) Central midfielder, England

Mason Mount has been superb this season—yes, superb. He leads the team in big chances created (6) as well as key passes per game (2.2), according to SofaScore. In the absence of Hakim Ziyech, Mount has been the most reliable, creative talent in the side. The fact that Mount is taking on the responsibility of trying to fill in for Ziyech is respectable. His defensive work also adds a lot to the team that you don’t get from many midfielders and attackers. He was the only one that knew what a press was against Arsenal. Mount’s stamina is also overlooked, he plays full matches in short spaces of time and yet, he still seems to have more energy than other attackers when he plays.

Mateo Kovacic (No. 17) Central midfielder, Croatia

Mateo Kovacic played well in the first half against Arsenal. One would like to think that he was taken off at half time to save him for the Aston Villa game on Monday. Though if Lampard wanted to take a central midfielder off, it could only have been Kovacic. Mount was Chelsea’s most creative player with four key passes so he couldn’t be taken off. Kante was holding the Chelsea team together by a thread too so he couldn’t be taken off. Kovacic is still one of Chelsea’s best midfielders, so expect him to start again. Aston Villa presses well, Kovacic will be the key to breaking that press for Chelsea if the Blues are to have any hope of exploiting any space left by the Villains.

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