CHELSEA welcome Aston Villa looking to continue their excellent start to the Premier League season.
The Blues have already performed well in tough games with Arsenal and Liverpool, having overcome Crystal Palace on the opening day.
- Kick-off time: 5.30pm BST
- TV channel: Sky Sports Premier League
- Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi, Kovacic, Saul Niguez, Alonso, Ziyech, Havertz, Lukaku.
- Aston Villa XI: Steer, Konsa, Mings, Tuanzebe, Cash, Ramsey, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Targett, Watkins, Ings.
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CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND
Marcos Alonso will wear the armband for Chelsea today marking a real turnaround in his career, having looked out of favour under Frank Lampard following the signing of Ben Chilwell.
He’s solidified his spot at left wing-back under Thomas Tuchel and his fine form has been rewarded by being given the captain’s armband for the day, despite Thiago Silva starting for the Blues.
FOUR’S TO BE RECKONED WITH
Thomas Tuchel’s men will move back up to fourth if they beat Villa tonight.
Leaders Man Utd and City followed by Brighton take the top three spots after 3pm wins today – but Spurs in fourth dropped points for the first time.
IT’S A TEAM GAME…
Chelsea’s seven goals this season have been scored by seven players.
What price a great eighth against Villa tonight?
EMI MISSES FIRST VILLA GAME
Keeper Emi Martinez misses his first Prem game for Villa since joining from Arsenal and quarantine rules likewise mean winger Emi Buendia sits it out.
That means Jed Steer starts in goal, with Tyrone Mings and John McGinn returning.
CHELSEA’S SIX CHANGES AS NIGUEZ STARTS
Loanee Saul Niguez makes his full Chelsea debut and Brazil defender Thiago Silva also starts against Villa in less than an hour.
Mateo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Trevor Chalobah and Hakim Ziyech also come in.
Andreas Christensen, Jorginho, Mason Mount and Cesar Azpilicueta are benched.
TODAY’S TWO TEAMS
Chelsea: Mendy, Rudiger, Alonso, Silva, Kovacic, Lukaku, Chalobah, Niguez, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Havertz.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Christensen, Jorginho, Werner, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Mount, Chilwell, Azpilicueta.
Aston Villa: Steer, Cash, Targett, Konsa, Mings, Luiz, McGinn, Watkins, Tuanzebe, Ings, Ramsey.
Subs: Sinisalo, Sanson, Traore, Young, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Hause, Bailey, Archer.
THAT’S A TUCH IMPRESSIVE
Thomas Tuchel is preparing to take on Villa with some of the Prem’s most impressive managerial stats behind him.
Since he succeeded Frank Lampard as Chelsea chief in January the German has picked up 45 points – second only to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola in the same period.
And no Prem club have conceded fewer goals than the Blues’ 14.
Credit: Getty HOME COMFORTS AGAINST VILLA
The Blues have won 11 and lost just once in their past 16 home league clashes with Villa.
And if Chelsea triumph again it will make them the only club apart form Manchester United to notch up 600 Premier League victories.
McGINN AVAILABLE
John McGinn, Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey are available for mid-table Villa in what appears to be their toughest game of the season so far.
BLUES TARGET TOP-3 SPOT
Victory this evening would push fourth-placed Chelsea at least one spot up the table – after Palace beat 10-man leaders Spurs 3-0.
The Blues will be without injured N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic and Reece James is suspended but main striker Romelu Lukaku is fit enough to play.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
