Garnacho And Fofana To Start | 4-2-3-1 Chelsea Predicted Lineup Vs Aston Villa

Villa Park will host a mid-week Premier League showdown on Wednesday night as Chelsea travel to the Midlands hoping to erase the memory of last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal. Interim boss Liam Rosenior is set to shake up his starting XI, with Manchester United loanee Alejandro Garnacho and returning centre-half Wesley Fofana poised for their first starts under the new regime.

Rosenior is expected to stick with the 4-2-3-1 shape that has underpinned Chelsea’s recent tactical work. Between the posts, Robert Sanchez retains his place despite shipping twice against the Gunners, while Fofana partners Trevoh Chalobah in the heart of defence. Club captain Reece James lines up on the right, with teenage Dutchman Jorrel Hato handed another chance to impress on the left. Tosin Adarabioyo drops to the bench to provide cover across the back line.

In the engine room, Moises Caicedo and Brazilian prodigy Andrey Santos will be tasked with disrupting Villa’s rhythm and winning the second-ball battles. Ahead of them, the creative onus falls on an attacking trident of Garnacho, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, whose combination play will be vital if Chelsea are to unpick a resolute Villa rearguard. Romeo Lavia, left out of the XI, offers a powerful midfield option for the closing stages.

Leading the line, Joao Pedro shoulders the goal-scoring responsibility, with Liam Delap and Marc Guiu waiting in reserve should Rosenior require fresh impetus late on.

Kick-off at a sold-out Villa Park is scheduled for 19:30 GMT, with Chelsea knowing that maximum points are essential to keep their European ambitions alive.

Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Garnacho, Fernandez, Palmer; Joao Pedro.