As expected, our head coach has shuffled his pack following Thursday evening’s Conference League exertions in Germany, and keeping our domestic opponents guessing about a possible switch of formation.

Defenders Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella all start ahead of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, as they did in our last league game at Leicester. We will have to wait for kick-off to find out if they line-up as a back three.

A possible alternative could be Moises Caicedo slotting in at right-back, as he has done previously this season, or he could form a midfield three with Romeo Lavia and today’s captain Enzo Fernandez.

The flanks will be occupied by the returning Pedro Neto, who missed the trip to Leicester with a slight knock picked up on international duty, and Sancho, the only person to start in Heidenheim and at Stamford Bridge today. Cole Palmer continues to support Nicolas Jackson in our attack.

Malo Gusto, who also missed the game against Leicester due to illness, is among the Blues substitutes this afternoon.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery makes two changes to the side which drew 0-0 away at Juventus in the Champions League in midweek, as Ezri Konsa replaces Diego Carlos at centre-back and Jaden Philogene replaces Leon Bailey on the wing.

Chelsea: Sanchez, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Neto, Lavia, Caicedo, Fernandez (c), Sancho, Palmer, Jackson

Substitutes: Jorgensen, Gusto, Badiashile, Tosin, Veiga, Joao Felix, Madueke, Mudryk, Nkunku

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, Philogene, McGinn (c), Rogers, Watkins

Substitutes: Olsen, Bogarde, Maatsen, Carlos, Mings, Barkley, Bailey, Buendia, Duran