“Enzo Maresca is expected to shake things up as Chelsea prepare to face Aston Villa, with reports suggesting a £46m star could find himself on the bench. The tactical tweak is aimed at rejuvenating the squad after a demanding weekend fixture, as Maresca looks to fine-tune his approach in a critical game for Champions League qualification.”

Chelsea will look to maintain their strong form this weekend when they welcome Premier League rivals Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge. The two sides are separated by just three points in the league table, setting the stage for an exciting clash on Sunday afternoon.

Villa boss Unai Emery has praised Chelsea ahead of the encounter, but the Blues come into the game riding a wave of momentum. After the international break, Chelsea secured a 2-1 away win over Leicester City in the league last Saturday. They followed it up with a rotated lineup defeating Heidenheim in the Conference League group stages on Thursday.

Predicted Starting XI

According to The Chelsea Chronicle, Enzo Maresca is expected to make three changes to his lineup from the Leicester game.

• Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez is likely to retain his spot, though Filip Jorgensen continues to push for a start amid criticism of Sanchez’s performances.
• Defense: Malo Gusto is predicted to return at right-back, replacing Benoit Badiashile, while Wesley Fofana moves to center-back alongside Levi Colwill. Marc Cucurella keeps his place at left-back after consistently solid performances.
• Midfield: Despite Enzo Fernandez’s standout display against Leicester, he might be rested, with Romeo Lavia stepping in to partner Moises Caicedo in midfield—a pairing often used in crucial matches.
• Attack: Pedro Neto could return to the lineup, pushing £46m signing Joao Felix to the bench. Noni Madueke is expected to continue on the right wing, although his starting spot is under scrutiny. Cole Palmer remains the creative engine in the No. 10 role, with Nicolas Jackson leading the attack.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson

Key Matches Ahead

Chelsea faces a packed December schedule, with seven Premier League fixtures providing a chance to solidify their top-four position. Their league run includes matches against Aston Villa, Southampton, and Tottenham, followed by Brentford, Everton, Fulham, and Ipswich.

With Enzo Maresca’s tenure off to a promising start, these games will serve as a major test for Chelsea’s young squad and their ambitions this season.