Aston Villavs.Chelsea

Reports have emerged claiming that Enzo Fernandez is set to undergo surgery to treat a long-standing hernia issue and the midfielder will be ruled out for the rest of the season.

Fernandez played the full 90 minutes in the Blues' heavy 5-0 defeat at London rivals Arsenal on Tuesday, but Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell were both absent due to knee injuries, and the full-back duo join Wesley Fofana (knee), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Reece James, Christopher Nkunku and Lesley Ugochukwu (all hamstring) in the treatment room.

Levi Colwill has been sidelined since the beginning of March with a toe injury, but it is understood that the defender is closing in on a return, while Cole Palmer and Robert Sanchez - who both missed the defeat at Arsenal through illness - should be fit to return to the matchday squad this weekend.

In the absence of both James and Gusto, Alfie Gilchrist was handed his first Premier League start against Arsenal and the 20-year-old is in contention to retain his spot at right-back, although Axel Disasi is another option at Mauricio Pochettino's disposal if he is not deployed in central defence.

Should Disasi start at right-back, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah will all battle for a start at centre-back, while Marc Cucurella will continue at left-back in the absence of Chilwell.

In the potential absence of Fernandez, Carney Chukwuemeka may be handed his first Premier League start since August alongside Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher, the latter of whom would be expected to slot into a deeper midfield role alongside Caicedo.

Nicolas Jackson has been made to rue a plethora of missed chances in front of goal in recent weeks, but he is expected to continue as the central striker, while Raheem Sterling will be looking to force his way back into the first XI at the expense of either Noni Madueke or Mykhaylo Mudryk on either flank.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Petrovic; Disasi, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Sterling; Jackson