Chelsea vs Aston Villa injury latest as Enzo Maresca confirms new blow
Aston Villa travel to Chelsea on Saturday evening looking to continue their incredible recent run.
Villa are hoping to record an 11th win in 11 matches, and keep the pressure up on Arsenal and Manchester City above them.
Villan secured a 2-1 victory over Manchester United last time out to cement their status as title contenders.
A win over Enzo Maresca’s side would be a real statement and would only enhance their chances of catching the Gunners at the top of the table.
Aston Villa fitness latest for Chelsea clash
Pau Torres is an injury worry for Villa for the Stamford Bridge encounter, and Emery will have his fingers crossed that he makes the clash.
Emery likes his defenders to be able to play out from the back, and Torres is one of the best he has in that regard, recording an 88 per cent pass accuracy, per Sofascore.
He is also solid at the back, winning 60 per cent of his ground duels and 50 per cent of the aerial battles that he contests.
The Spaniard makes 4.4 recoveries and 3.3 clearances per game, so is a key part of the Villans side that is performing so well at the moment.
Torres remains a doubt for the contest with a back problem, and Victor Lindelof may be required to deputise again for Villa.
Evann Guessand is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley are still ruled out.
Maresca confirms new blow for Chelsea ahead of Villa contest
Chelsea have injury issues of their own, with Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill still out, and Maresca’s side have received a new blow ahead of the clash.
The Spaniard confirmed that Jorrel Hato will miss the game against Emery’s side, telling the club’s official media: “Hato suffered an injury during the warm-up against Newcastle, at half-time. He is out.”
There is better news for the Blues boss, though, as Cole Palmer, Estevao and Liam Delap are ready to return to action against the Villa Park outfit.
The B6 club may also have to deal with Jamie Gittens, as Maresca confirmed that he is set to come back after missing the draw with Newcastle.
He said: “Jamie was not in the squad because the day before, in the final training session, he had a problem in his shoulder, he is back now though and is okay for Villa.”
It will be a tough test for Emery and Co., but they will be confident that they can overcome it, if Torres is back in the team.
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