Aston Villa v Chelsea: five key battles

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has hinted he might experiment when the Blues visit rock-bottom Aston Villa. Here are five potential battles we think could be important in today’s game. 

Willian or Pedro v Aly Cissokho
With Willian having only arrived back in London on Friday after playing for Brazil in midweek, Hiddink may choose to rest him and use Pedro on the right-hand side. He has other options – such as using either Bertrand Traore or Loic Remy – but whoever plays will face the strong, if technically limited, Cissokho.

Oscar or Cesc Fabregas v Ashley Westwood
Hiddink may also reshuffle the centre of midfield, with Oscar also flying back from international duty with Brazil, although he did not play in Paraguay. If he is rested, Fabregas may be pushed on to give Westwood a hard time.

Loic Remy or Bertrand Traore v Aston Villa’s porous defence
Villa have played a back three at times, a back four at others, and have chopped and changed personnel in a bid to stop leaking goals. Caretaker boss Eric Black can pick from Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Ciaran Clark and Jores Okore. Chelsea will be confident of scoring even without Diego Costa – Remy or Traore are the likely starter, though Alexandre Pato could finally be given a run out.

John Mikel Obi v Jordan Veretout
Even with rotation, the reliable Mikel is likely to be one of the guaranteed starters. His job at Villa Park will be to deny time and space to Veretout, one of the hosts’ top performers this season and a very capable passer of the ball.

Cesar Azpilicueta v Carles Gil
Two Spaniards are likely to go head-to-head on Villa’s right. Gil, signed from Valencia in January 2015, has plenty of ability when confident but can drift in and out of games. If Azpilicueta can get on top of him early on, he should be in for a comfortable afternoon.