Chelsea predicted XI vs Aston Villa as Alejandro Garnacho starts and Cole Palmer decision made

The predicted Chelsea line-up for this evening's massive Premier League fixture with Aston Villa as Liam Rosenior faces some tough decisions regarding his team selection

Chelsea will be desperate to return to winning ways in the Premier League this evening as they travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa.

The Blues are without a win in three league matches, with back-to-back draws against Leeds United and Burnley before being defeated away at Arsenal over the weekend. Liam Rosenior believes his Chelsea side deserved much more from each of their last three top-flight games but at this point in the season, points on the board become even more significant.

Simply put, Chelsea cannot afford to lose any more ground on their rivals for Champions League qualification. Aston Villa are one of those and Unai Emery's side will be eager to also try and rediscover some form between now and the end of the season.

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At one point, people were tipping Villa as the outsiders in the Premier League title race, but a poor 2026 has left Emery's team scrapping for a Champions League finish. All of this context makes for an enormous fixture tonight at Villa Park.

With all that said, football.london takes a look at how Rosenior might set up his Chelsea XI in the Midlands.

Robert Sanchez

Despite a shaky 90 minutes at Arsenal on Sunday, there is no doubt that Sanchez will keep his place in goal for Chelsea. The Spaniard, however, needs to improve with his feet as Villa typically look to press from the front as well.

Reece James

The Chelsea captain was one of his side's standout performers at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend. James' delivery from wide areas was absolutely fantastic and Rosenior will be hoping for more of the same from his skipper this evening.

Wesley Fofana

The Frenchman missed the trip to north London as he served his one-match suspension. Fofana, though, is in contention to return to the defensive line and he could replace Mamadou Sarr.

Trevoh Chalobah

Chalobah has been an ever-present figure in the Chelsea back line this season and looks set to continue there tonight. The 26-year-old defender impressed on Sunday with some crucial tackles and blocks and will need to bring that form into this one as well.

Malo Gusto

Jorrel Hato did not do a lot wrong on Sunday, but Rosenior might be tempted to rotate where he can given the tight turnaround. Gusto was trusted at left-back in the draw with Burnley recently. Marc Cucurella is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury and could be named in the squad.

Andrey Santos

Some supporters will be calling for Romeo Lavia to start after his impressive cameo at Arsenal but it might make more sense for the Belgian to come in for the Wrexham tie on Saturday evening. Santos has been in excellent form for the Blues as well, so the Brazilian might be asked to go again at Villa Park.

Moises Caicedo

Along with James, Caicedo was probably the standout player for Chelsea on Sunday. The Ecuadorian is set to start again as he once again looks to avoid his ninth yellow card of the season with the risk of a two-game suspension in sight.

Cole Palmer

There was a heart-in-mouth moment for Chelsea supporters on Sunday as Palmer went down to the ground on the centre circle at the Emirates. The 23-year-old, though, played on and almost completed the full 90 minutes, with Rosenior confirming on Monday afternoon that it was not his groin (the area that has been troubling Palmer all season-long). Rosenior also said Palmer, whose last trip to the Midlands ended with him taking the match ball home, is fine to start at Villa Park.

Enzo Fernandez

By no means at his best in recent games, but the Argentina international remains one of the first names on Rosenior's team sheet. Fernandez will be hoping for a similar impact tonight to that special free-kick he hit in at Villa Park over two years ago in the FA Cup.

Alejandro Garnacho

The 21-year-old winger could make just his fifth start since Rosenior was appointed less than two months ago. Garnacho will surely be given a go on the left wing given Pedro Neto's one-match suspension and Jamie Gittens still out with a hamstring injury.

Joao Pedro

Chelsea's most in-form player and therefore needs to start, despite the tight turnaround. Joao Pedro had that one chance at Arsenal where he should have done better but other than that, it was a frustrating day for the Brazil international, who will be looking to improve this evening if called upon.