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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 English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (L) pulls away from Arsenal’s English midfielder Joe Willock during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 26, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney / 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 JULIAN FINNEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (L) pulls away from Arsenal’s English midfielder Joe Willock during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 26, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney / 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 JULIAN FINNEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Callum Hudson-Odoi (No. 20) Right winger, England

Speaking of players who covered themselves in glory: Callum Hudson-Odoi. Hudson-Odoi was sparkling when he came on, and was exactly what the Blues needed. The young Englishman has put his head down and worked hard, he deserves to start now. Lampard keeps talking about merit and if he means that then Hudson-Odoi should start against Aston Villa. In the absence of Ziyech, Chelsea needs crossers like Hudson-Odoi.

Tammy Abraham (No. 9) Striker, England

Tammy Abraham has been Chelsea’s best striker in the Premier League this season. He’s been clinical too, scoring six goals and missing just two big chances. Olivier Giroud and Timo Werner have scored a combined six goals and have missed 12 big chances, with the German forward accounting for eight of those 12.

Abraham’s movement, anticipation and finishing have been superb. His finishing has also been way better than Werner’s this season. Werner has been playing well alongside Abraham season, but there’s criticism of him not contributing much to build up, and it’s clear that he’s not finishing chances much either. His exit at halftime against Arsenal was the right call by Lampard and he should sit the next one out as he needs a rest—expect Abraham to start.

Christian Pulisic (No.10) Left winger, United States

Christian Pulisic was head and shoulders above every other Chelsea player against Arsenal. His dribbling was too much for the Gunners to handle, sadly he was one of the few players who did themselves justice on the night. He was also a lot more effective when Hudson-Odoi came in and he switched to the left wing. This is the Pulisic that we all want to see. Injuries have defined a significant portion of Pulisic’s Chelsea career, but when he does play, he is literally impossible to mark. He exploded into form during Project Restart, but then his form has been fluctuating since due to injuries.

Chelsea: Three things to look for as Blues seek rebound. dark. Next

Who do you want to see start? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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