Neck-and-neck on 38 points in the Premier League table, 10th-placed Chelsea welcome 11th-placed Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge for Saturday evening's showdown.
The Blues drew 2-2 with Everton just before the international break, while Unai Emery's side eased past Bournemouth 3-0, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.
CHELSEA vs. ASTON VILLA
© Reuters
CHELSEA
Out: Armando Broja (knee), Thiago Silva (knee), Raheem Sterling (thigh), Cesar Azpilicueta (head), Wesley Fofana (thigh)
Doubtful: Kai Havertz (illness), Reece James (thigh), Edouard Mendy (finger), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (back), Mason Mount (pelvis), Christian Pulisic (illness)
Sports Mole's predicted XI: Kepa; Badiashile, Koulibaly, Cucurella; James, Fernandez, Kovacic, Chilwell; Mudryk, Havertz, Felix
ASTON VILLA
Out: Philippe Coutinho (thigh), Matty Cash (calf), Jed Steer (calf)
Doubtful: Leander Dendoncker (hand), Boubacar Kamara (ankle)
Sports Mole's predicted XI: Martinez; Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; McGinn, Luiz; Bailey, Buendia, Ramsey; Watkins
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
