Aston Villa and Chelsea are set to face a crucial Premier League clash at Villa Park on Wednesday, with both teams contending with a lengthy list of unavailable players due to injuries and suspensions. This pivotal fixture could significantly impact both sides' chances of securing Champions League qualification.
Currently, Aston Villa sit fourth in the table but have recorded only one victory in their last five matches. Chelsea, just behind in the standings, are three points shy of Liverpool in the race for a top-four finish. After a surprising defeat for Chelsea at Wolves, a win here could prove decisive for either team’s ambitions.
Aston Villa’s injury woes have eased slightly compared to previous weeks, but they still face notable absentees. John McGinn is the closest to returning to action after missing nine consecutive games across all competitions due to surgery. Despite positive progress in his recovery, McGinn is unlikely to feature against Chelsea, as he expects to return in two to three weeks.
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Midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andres Garcia remain sidelined, with Tielemans out until April and Garcia earmarked for a return next month. Boubacar Kamara, injured since January, won’t be back until next season. Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott’s recent absence has been attributed to injury, limiting his involvement.
Chelsea will be without Pedro Neto, who faces suspension after receiving two yellow cards against Arsenal, resulting in the club’s tenth red card this season. Estevao Willian continues his hamstring recovery following the stalemate with Burnley, though he has begun running and is hopeful of a return before the end of March. Defensive option Marc Cucurella could be available after missing the recent clash at Leeds.
Chelsea’s squad depth has been tested, with Dario Essugo sidelined following thigh surgery late last year. Defender Levi Colwill remains out due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in pre-season, and Jamie Gittens is ruled out long term after tearing a hamstring in January.
Unai Emery and his coaching staff will need to navigate these challenges carefully if Villa are to secure a vital victory over their top-four rivals and maintain their Champions League hopes.