Chelsea team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Aston Villa

Chelsea are scheduled to return to action on Boxing Day with a Premier League fixture at Aston Villa.

A much-changed Blues XI, which featured three academy players, got back to winning ways on Wednesday night as a 2-0 victory was recorded at Brentford in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

However, while there are signs that Chelsea's coronavirus issues are abating, head coach Thomas Tuchel still has many selection dilemmas to contend with over the coming days.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their visit to Birmingham.

Ben Chilwell

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

Chilwell has been making excellent progress in his recovery from a knee injury, but he will remain unavailable for the foreseeable future. However, on a positive note, the left-back recorded a negative test for coronavirus earlier this week.

Romelu Lukaku

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Coronavirus Possible return date: December 26 (vs. Aston Villa)

A change in government rules means that two negative tests can lead to an end of isolation on day seven. Tuchel revealed on Wednesday night that Lukaku has recorded the first of these, potentially bringing the Belgian back into contention at the weekend.

Timo Werner

Status: Out Type of injury: Coronavirus Possible return date: December 26 (vs. Aston Villa)

The same applies to Werner. However, Tuchel is yet to provide an update on the forward, the assumption being that he is yet to record a negative test.

Callum Hudson-Odoi

Status: Out Type of injury: Coronavirus Possible return date: December 26 (vs. Aston Villa)

There is better news regarding Hudson-Odoi who, like Lukaku, is said to have recorded the first of the required negative tests. He, too, could return to the squad on Sunday.

Kai Havertz

Status: Major doubt Type of injury: Coronavirus Possible return date: December 29 (vs. Brighton & Hove Albion)

Havertz tested positive in the days after the previous quartet, and is unlikely to be considered for the trip to the West Midlands. However, depending on his recovery, the German may be back on the substitutes' bench against Brighton & Hove Albion next Wednesday.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Status: Major doubt Type of injury: Coronavirus Possible return date: December 29 (vs. Brighton)

Loftus-Cheek is assumed to have tested positive at the same time as Havertz, leaving him in a similar situation to his teammate.

Andreas Christensen

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Back Possible return date: December 26 (vs. Aston Villa)

While Christensen has been absent for the last two matches, Tuchel has revealed that it has been due to a back injury, rather than coronavirus. The Dane made a return to training on Thursday, suggesting that he could take his place on the substitutes' bench.

Hakim Ziyech

Status: Major doubt Type of injury: Calf Possible return date: December 26 (vs. Aston Villa)

Ziyech took a knock to his calf against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, and it led to the Moroccan being given a rest on Wednesday. However, with Tuchel having previously stated that it was not a serious issue, the playmaker may feature at the weekend.

CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Chelsea have no players suspended for this match.