11 players could miss Chelsea vs Aston Villa as Marc Cucurella hope explained

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Liam Rosenior could welcome back a key player for tonight's Premier League match against Aston Villa as Chelsea face line-up change after Pedro Neto red card

Chelsea's Premier League clash against Aston Villa could be missing 11 players with injuries and suspension forcing Liam Rosenior and Unai Emery to be without key individuals.

The clash at Villa Park could prove to be a vital one in both team's hopes of securing Champions League football this season. Villa currently occupy fourth spot, despite winning just one of their last five games, whilst the Blues are three points behind Liverpool outside the top five.

Arne Slot's men suffered a shock loss at Wolves on Tuesday night, meaning victory for Rosenior's side will move them up to fifth on goal difference. However, they travel to the Midlands with numerous injury struggles.

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Pedro Neto will be out of the game due to suspension after picking up Chelsea's 10th red card of the season across all competitions with two yellow cards in the defeat to Arsenal.

Fellow winger Estevao Willian is a doubt after suffering a hamstring issue prior to the 1-1 draw against Burnley. "Unfortunately, Estevao will be out for a little bit longer," Rosenior said before the Arsenal game.

Fortunately, the Brazilian is "back on the pitch running" so could return before the end of March. Marc Cucurella is a possible returnee for tonight's game after being sidelined since the 2-2 draw against Leeds last month. “Cucu is looking really good, if not for Wednesday then for Saturday for sure,” Rosenior said.

Dario Essugo is yet to get his Chelsea career going after signing from Sporting CP, although he is back in training. A knock in training at the end of last year has forced him out after he required surgery on a thigh injury.

Jamie Gittens has been described as a long-term absentee by Rosenior after tearing his hamstring in the 3-2 win over West Ham at the end of January. Levi Colwill joins him in the treatment room due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee suffered in pre-season.

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Villa have with their own injury problems, though the list of absentees is shorter than it has been in recent weeks. John McGinn is the closest to a return, though this evening's game is anticipated to be too soon.

Youri Tielemans' injury picked up in January will see him report in April, while Andres Garcia will also return next month. Boubacar Kamara has been out since January and isn't expected to be back until next season.

Liverpool-loanee Harvey Elliott has struggled for regular game time at Villa Park, but Emery confirmed towards the end of the month that his current absence is due to injury.