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Chelsea at Aston Villa preview: How to watch on TV, live stream

By Akshat Mehrish

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Saul Niguez of Chelsea FC and Jacob Ramsey of Aston Villa battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Saul Niguez of Chelsea FC and Jacob Ramsey of Aston Villa battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Timo Werner of Chelsea looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Timo Werner of Chelsea looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Chelsea team news

COVID-19 and injuries to key players have derailed Chelsea’s season in recent weeks, but the Blues are due to receive some respite for the match ahead. Of those who tested positive for the virus this past weekend, Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi have since delivered negative tests and are back in training. The pair were pictured among the training squad at Cobham. Although they will lack the adequate match sharpness, having been on the sidelines for a few days, they could still be forced into the team due to the lack of depth right now.

Andreas Christensen is also back in training following a minor injury. The Dane missed Chelsea’s away games against Wolves and Brentford. Barring any late mishaps, he will be in the matchday squad for the Blues’ match against Aston Villa, which is a big boost to the depleted back line.

There are, however, question marks over the fitness and availability of several other key members of the Chelsea squad. Hakim Ziyech limped off against Wolves and failed to make the bench versus Brentford. Timo Werner and Kai Havertz are also due an update, the latter on fitness and the former on his COVID status. Ben Chilwell, meanwhile, remains sidelined with a long-term injury and a Coronavirus positive test.

Aston Villa team news

Similar to Chelsea, Aston Villa is dealing with its share of troubles too. COVID remains the biggest hindrance at the moment for the Villains, as they learned first-hand ahead of their previous scheduled league game against Burnley that had to be postponed at the eleventh hour due to an outbreak at the Midlands club.

Injuries too, have troubled Villa in recent weeks; Gerrard was forced to name a bench with five academy players for the game against Norwich City—10 days ago—due to the absences of Marvelous Nakamba, Anwar El Ghazi, Morgan Sanson, Bertrand Traore, Leon Bailey and Keinan Davis. The Villa boss did, however, confirm in his presser that some of the previously injured players are back in training and in contention to feature against Chelsea.

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