Key duo return as Lampard makes 4 changes | Expected Chelsea line-up vs Aston Villa

Chelsea take on Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Here is the team we expect Frank Lampard to select for the game:

Goalkeeper: There is no point discussing who will start in goal as Kepa Arrizabalaga is certain to keep his place with Willy Caballero once again named on the bench.

Defence: Chelsea will have been disappointed to lose to West Ham at the weekend so Lampard is likely to freshen things up with Cesar Azpilicueta pushing for a recall at right-back meaning Reece James may drop out.

Andreas Christensen is also available for selection but I think we’ll see Fikayo Tomori keeping his place alongside Kurt Zouma in the middle of defence. Antonio Rudiger has stepped-up his training regime after recovering from a serious knee injury but the centre-back is still at least a week away from being in contention.

Marcos Alonso has fallen out of favour under Lampard so Emerson Palmeiri is expected to keep his place at left-back in Chelsea’s back four tomorrow night.

Midfield: The Blues should make one change in midfield as N’Golo Kante is expected to be recalled against Aston Villa after being named on the bench at the weekend.

Jorginho will once again start in the deep lying playmaker role while Mateo Kovacic should be confident of keeping his place after putting in some impressive performances lately.

Ross Barkley is still not available as he’s been suffering from illness after recently returning from an ankle injury so he remains on the sidelines along with long-term absentee Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Attack: Chelsea will give Tammy Abraham every opportunity to prove his fitness after he missed the defeat to West Ham with a hip injury. Lampard will be desperate to have him available so he may risk the striker if it’s touch and go.

Olivier Giroud looked rusty at the weekend and Michy Batshuayi has failed to make himself a regular under Lampard so I think they’ll both be named on the bench if Abraham is passed fit.

Callum Hudson-Odoi is pushing for a recall in attack but I think we’ll see Willian come in for Pedro in the Chelsea attack with Christian Pulisic keeping his place. That means Mason Mount may have to settle for a place among the substitutes.

Here is how we think Chelsea will line-up: