{"id":554450,"date":"2020-06-21T00:00:31","date_gmt":"2020-06-21T04:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=554450"},"modified":"2020-06-20T05:22:57","modified_gmt":"2020-06-20T09:22:57","slug":"chelsea-restart-top-four-pursuit-at-aston-villa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/06\/21\/chelsea-restart-top-four-pursuit-at-aston-villa\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea Restart Top Four Pursuit at Aston Villa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chelsea<\/a> travel to Villa Park Sunday at 4:15 pm to restart their top-four chase against relegation battling Aston Villa<\/a>. Entering the weekend, Chelsea sit fourth with 48 points, with a slim margin over fifth-place Manchester United<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chelsea Restart Top Four Pursuit at Aston Villa<\/h2>\n

Top Four Race Restart<\/h3>\n

Chelsea will want a fast start to the match and restart as they find themselves right in the thick of a fight for Champions League qualification.<\/p>\n

The first 29 games of the season and this upcoming nine-game sprint seem extremely disconnected. With more than 100 days between their last league match, a 4-0 win over Everton<\/a> in March, and this Sunday’s restart, “recent” form doesn’t exist, let alone matter.<\/p>\n

What does matter is that manager Frank Lampard has had a better-than-expected first season. Without much experience himself, none in a top-flight as the gaffer, and blooding a myriad of young players, expectations were low. And so far Chelsea has exceeded those.<\/p>\n

Attack has looked good at times with Tammy Abraham<\/a> impressing with 13 goals at centre forward. Mason Mount<\/a> has linked play well. And Christian Pulisic<\/a> had a month-long run where he was the most potent attacker.<\/p>\n

Defence, though, has been shaky, allowing late goals and giving up leads on several occasions. Set pieces have also been a nightmare for the Blues.<\/p>\n

How will they come out of the blocks Sunday? Against a poor Villa side that drew at home to Sheffield United<\/a> Wednesday – although, they should have lost, saved only by a lack of Goal Line Technology and VAR –<\/a> Chelsea should be licking their lips.<\/p>\n

Attack should be focused on one thing, taking advantage of a poor defence. Villa have conceded 56 goals, almost two per game. Defensively, Chelsea will have to hone in on Jack Grealish<\/a> and the now fit attacking midfielder John McGinn<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Team News<\/h3>\n

Lampard announced at his pre-match press conference Friday that midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek<\/a> is ready to go. The England international hasn’t made an appearance this season but has been given second life with the delayed ending to the season. Loftus-Cheek tore his Achilles last year during a friendly in the US. And since, he has suffered a couple of setbacks during rehab.<\/p>\n

N’Golo Kante<\/a> is also available for selection. The World Cup winner returned to full-contact training much later than his teammates due to personal health concerns due to the coronavirus. But, he is at least fit enough for the bench, if not a start.<\/p>\n

Pedro<\/a> is, on paper, fit for the match. However, it’s unlikely he’ll play as he’s already agreed to join Roma next season and is “unwilling” to play again for the Blues<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jorginho<\/a> will miss the match through suspension for yellow card accumulation. Defender Fikayo Tomori<\/a> and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi<\/a> will miss the match. Tomori picked up a muscle injury in training this week. And Hudson-Odoi is not quite ready for competitive action.<\/p>\n

In the other dugout, on-loan midfielder Danny Drinkwater<\/a> cannot play for the Villans against his parent club.<\/p>\n

Starting XI And Score Prediction<\/h3>\n

GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga<\/a><\/p>\n

DF: Cesar Azpilicueta<\/a>, Antonio Rudiger<\/a>, Kurt Zouma<\/a>, Marcos Alonso<\/a><\/p>\n

MF: N’Golo Kante<\/a>, Mateo Kovacic<\/a>, Mason Mount<\/a><\/p>\n

F: Willian<\/a>, Tammy Abraham<\/a>, Christian Pulisic<\/a><\/p>\n

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea<\/strong><\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>