Chelsea predicted lineup vs Aston Villa - Premier League
- Pochettino has some big decisions to make ahead of Chelsea's clash with Aston Villa
- The Argentinian coach has used an array of different formations this season but nothing has worked
- The likes of Ben Chilwell and Moises Caicedo could return to the starting lineup
Mauricio Pochettino has some big decisions to make ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea look to get some respite from an underwhelming start to the season.
The Blues have won just two games all season - a league victory over bottom-placed Luton Town and a Carabao Cup win over League Two AFC Wimbledon - and have not made the start to the new campaign they would have desired.
A disappointing goalless draw with Bournemouth last time out only piled more pressure on Pochettino and his team, with a dreadful 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest preceding it. Chelsea have to turn their season around sooner rather than later, with the visit of Villa an opportunity to change the narrative around Stamford Bridge.
Here is how Chelsea could line up to face Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (3-4-2-1)
GK: Robert Sanchez - A strong performance against Bournemouth has further solidified his position as Chelsea's number one, despite the arrival of young Djordje Petrovic.
CB: Axel Disasi - Starting to look more comfortable in Chelsea's backline and put in a good showing against Bournemouth last weekend. The Blues' defensive injuries means he is assured of a starting spot regardless.
CB: Thiago Silva - Serves an important role in marshalling the backline and continues to produce regularly high performances despite recently turning 39 years old.
CB: Levi Colwill - Used as a left-back against Bournemouth but should take residence in a more comfortable centre-back role if Pochettino reverts to a back three.
RWB: Malo Gusto - Has been fairly steady since arriving at Stamford Bridge. Always going to be tough to replace Reece James' output both in attack and defence.
CM: Moises Caicedo - Will face a late fitness test but will start if he passes it. Chelsea need him to bring his Brighton form to Stamford Bridge.
CM: Enzo Fernandez - Chelsea's best performer this season alongside Raheem Sterling and arguably the first name on the team sheet. Played in a more advanced role which didn't suit him against Bournemouth, but should move deeper against Villa.
LWB: Ben Chilwell - Was rested last weekend after a pretty poor start to the season, however, he remains Chelsea's best senior option on the left flank.
AM: Raheem Sterling - One of the few rays of hope for the Blues this campaign after a string of top-quality performances. Chelsea's poor results cannot be blamed on Sterling.
AM: Conor Gallagher - Pochettino seems to see something in Gallagher that most others don't. He has started every league game this season, so the likelihood is he does so again on Sunday.
ST: Nicolas Jackson - Slowly becoming the next Timo Werner at Stamford Bridge. Needs to start converting the chances he is being provided with soon, although the Blues don't have many options on the bench to replace him.
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