Chelsea injury, suspension news and return dates vs. Aston Villa: Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke latest

Chelsea return to action on Saturday evening when they square off against Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Enzo Maresca and his players will have had over a week to stew over their disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion last Friday when they take to the pitch at Villa Park.

As a result, Chelsea begin the weekend in sixth position in the Premier League table, but ninth-placed Villa will move to within two points of the West Londoners with victory at their home ground.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Chelsea's injury and suspension news ahead of their return trip to the West Midlands.

Wesley Fofana

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: Unknown

Wesley Fofana and Maresca have clashed over the former's recovery time from a hamstring injury. However, Fofana has made progress in recent days and is seemingly pushing for his predicted March return date.

Benoit Badiashile

Status: Major doubt Type of injury: Thigh Possible return date: February 22 (vs. Aston Villa)

Fellow defender Benoit Badiashile sustained a thigh problem in training in December and Maresca has previously conceded that the former Monaco man will be absent until February. However, on the back of progress having been made on the training pitch last week, the Frenchman is pushing for a return, either for this game or the next.

Omari Kellyman

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: Unknown

Summer signing Omari Kellyman is yet to make his Blues bow due to a serious hamstring injury and there has still been no update on when the fledgling playmaker might be considered for selection again.

Romeo Lavia

Status: Out Type of injury: Muscle Possible return date: Unknown

Romeo Lavia is back on the sidelines with a muscle injury just two games having made his latest recovery. Maresca has already suggested that the Belgium international will remain absent until the March international break.

Nicolas Jackson

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: April 2 (vs. Tottenham Hotspur)

Nicolas Jackson sustained an issue with his hamstring in the first half against West Ham United earlier this month. Maresca has since revealed the Senegal international will be sidelined until after the March international break.

Marc Guiu

Status: Out Type of injury: Groin Possible return date: Unknown

Marc Guiu suffered a groin injury during the closing stages versus West Ham United at the start of the month and Maresca has subsequently revealed that the young forward will be absent for "weeks". As it stands, there is no clear picture over a potential return date.

Noni Madueke

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: Unknown

During the early stages against Brighton last week, Noni Madueke pulled up with a hamstring injury. Maresca has since confirmed the winger will be sidelined for "a little while".

CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Mykhaylo Mudryk

Possible return date: Unknown

Ukrainian winger Mykhaylo Mudryk is currently serving a provisional doping ban after testing positive for meldonium; the player has been publicly supported by his manager but will remain unavailable for selection for the foreseeable future.