Chelsea hint at significant Aston Villa team selection as three players are omitted from the squad.

Chelsea faces Aston Villa in a crucial Premier League match this Saturday. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with only two wins in their last nine league games, leaving them sixth in the table. Despite this slump, they remain close to the top four and are still in contention for European qualification. The upcoming game against Villa, a direct competitor for European spots, is therefore vital.

Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, faces selection challenges due to a number of absences. He confirmed at his Friday press conference that six players are unavailable due to injury: Noni Madueke (who is expected to be out until after the international break), Nico Jackson, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, and Marc Guiu. Additionally, Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended. These absences open up opportunities for younger players to join the senior squad.

Three players from Chelsea’s Under-21 squad – defenders Josh Acheampong and Aaron Anselmino, and winger Tyrique George – were notable absentees from their Friday night game against Manchester United. This suggests they are being considered for the first-team squad for the Villa match. Acheampong has already made five senior appearances this season and has been a substitute on several occasions. Anselmino, recently recalled from loan, has also been on the bench for senior matches. George, while Maresca has stated he’s not yet fully ready, is being considered due to the current injury crisis. Maresca has acknowledged the need to give George more high-level playing time.

While other U21 players like Samuel Rak-Sakyi and Shim Mhueka have senior experience, their participation in the U21 game makes them less likely to feature for the first team against Villa due to the short turnaround time. Rak-Sakyi recently spoke about his pride in making his senior debut this season and his desire to contribute to both the U21s and the senior squad.

This situation presents Maresca with a balancing act: managing the senior team’s needs while also developing promising young players. The match against Aston Villa will be a test of his squad’s depth and his ability to integrate young talent into the first team.