Predicted Chelsea line-up vs Aston Villa: Palmer & Garnacho start amid Neto suspension
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Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior is expected to make only a few changes in the team for the crucial Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Wednesday.
For the Blues, this is arguably close to being a must-win game.
Having dropped down to sixth in the table with only 10 games left, Chelsea desperately need a positive result against the competitors in the race for Champions League spots.
Fourth-placed Villa are obviously one of these competitors.
A midweek trip to Villa Park is up next. pic.twitter.com/8Tui14oRtH
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 2, 2026
Arsenal punished Chelsea's poor set-piece defence at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend, but it was far from being a one-sided match.
Rosenior will therefore have very few reasons to gamble with a different starting 11 against Villa.
Robert Sanchez is expected to start in goal as usual.
Wesley Fofana is likely to return to the line-up after serving his one-match suspension, alongside Trevoh Chalobah.
Rosenior mentioned that there is a chance that Marc Cucurella could make his return against Villa. The Spain international should start if he is fit, otherwise Jorrel Hato is likely to keep his spot at left-back.
In central midfield, keeping Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos would be the safest bet.
That said, Santos looked really tired in the second half against Arsenal, and Romeo Lavia, who made a substitute appearance in the game, could provide cover if needed.
Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer are both expected to keep their attacking midfield spots.
For the right winger spot, it is trickier since Pedro Neto is serving a suspension.
The only available natural winger is Alejandro Garnacho, and he prefers to operate on the left.
Rosenior could therefore opt to use Fernandez as a number 10, Palmer as a right winger, and Garnacho on the left.
Joao Pedro, on the other hand, is expected to keep his starting number nine spot.
Predicted Chelsea line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Aston Villa
Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez
Defenders: Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella/Jorrel Hato
Midfielders: Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez
Forwards: Cole Palmer, Alejandro Garnacho, Joao Pedro
Gerry Crisandy is a freelance writer who has covered Chelsea for many years. His work has been published on The Chelsea Chronicle and Pride of London. He grew up idolising Michael Ballack and is a firm believer in expected goals.