Chelsea hint at significant Aston Villa team selection as three players are omitted from the squad.

Chelsea faces a significant challenge ahead of their Premier League match against Aston Villa this Saturday. Their recent form has been unstable, with only two victories in their last nine league games, leaving them in sixth place. Despite this, they remain close to the top four and still have a chance at European qualification. This upcoming fixture against Villa, a direct rival for European spots, is crucial.

Manager Enzo Maresca is dealing with several injuries, which he confirmed in a Friday press conference. Six players will miss the match: Noni Madueke (who is expected to be out until after the international break), Nico Jackson, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, and Marc Guiu. Mykhailo Mudryk is also still suspended. These absences give younger players the chance to step up and join the first-team squad.

Three players from the Under-21 squad—defenders Josh Acheampong and Aaron Anselmino, and winger Tyrique George—were notable absences from the Friday night fixture against Manchester United. This suggests they are being considered for inclusion in the first-team squad for the Villa match. Acheampong has already made five senior appearances this season and has been on the bench multiple times. Anselmino, recently recalled from loan, has also been on the senior squad’s bench. George, while Maresca has stated that he’s not fully ready yet, is under consideration because of the current injury crisis. Maresca has admitted that George needs more experience at a higher level.

Other U21 players like Samuel Rak-Sakyi and Shim Mhueka, who have senior experience, played in the U21 match, making it less likely they will feature against Villa due to the short turnaround. Rak-Sakyi recently expressed his pride in making his senior debut this season and his eagerness to contribute to both the U21s and the senior team.

This situation presents Maresca with a tricky balancing act: meeting the needs of the senior team while developing the club’s promising young players. The upcoming match against Villa will be a test of his ability to manage the squad’s depth and integrate youth into the first team.