Aston Villa vs Chelsea: Latest team news, injury latest, predicted lineup

Palmer missed Monday’s defeat at Arsenal through illness (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea will hope to have Cole Palmer fit again as they prepare for their trip to Aston Villa on Saturday evening.

The Blues saw an eight-game undefeated run end in spectacular fashion after being thrashed 5-0 by Arsenal on Tuesday night.

Palmer, who wore heavy strapping on his thigh during Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City, missed that game through illness with the Blues struggling badly in his absence.

Mauricio Pochettino was unable to confirm whether Palmer would be fit for this weekend when he spoke to Match of the Day in the aftermath of Monday’s thrashing at the Emirates.

But the 21-year-old was pictured back in training on Thursday, handing his manager a huge boost ahead of that trip to Villa Park.

Chelsea however are likely to be without Enzo Fernandez for the rest of the season with the midfielder to undergo groin surgery.

The Argentina international has been carrying the injury for some time with reports in Argentina suggesting he has been struggling with an inguinal hernia.

Palmer was pictured back in training on Thursday (Picture: Getty)

Fernandez hopes undergoing the procedure now will ensure he is fit for Argentina’s Copa America campaign this summer.

In Fernandez’s absence, Conor Gallagher could be asked to occupy a deeper midfield role alongside Moises Caicedo while it could also offer Carney Chukwuemeka an opportunity to force his way into the side.

Elsewhere, Malo Gusto is an injury doubt after suffering what his manager described as a ‘minor’ knee ligament injury which ruled him out of the Arsenal game. Ben Chilwell was also absent on Tuesday.

Levi Colwill has not been featured since the 2-2 draw with Brentford at the start of March due to a toe problem while Christopher Nkunku continues to step up his return in training.

Predicted Chelsea XI vs Aston Villa: Petrovic, Gilchrist, Disasi, Silva, Cucurella, Gallagher, Caicedo, Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk, Jackson

Aston Villa vs Chelsea kick-off time and TV channel

Villa host Chelsea on Saturday 27 April with kick-off scheduled for 8pm [BST]. TNT Sports 1 will have live coverage of the game.

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