Dugout Discussion

Chelsea v Aston Villa: Enzo starts, Watkins a sub

27 December 2025 529 comments
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One more match to go today, and it’s an intriguing one: Chelsea v Aston Villa.

Kick-off is at 17:30 GMT.

It’s fourth v third based on pre-Gameweek table places, although Chelsea have slipped down to fifth after Liverpool’s win earlier.

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca makes two changes from the 2-2 draw at Newcastle United.

One comes at centre-half as Benoit Badiashile replaces Wesley Fofana.

The other alteration sees Enzo Fernandez come in for Malo Gusto. That will mean a move back to right-back for Reece James, following his recent stint in midfield.

Estevao and Liam Delap return from injury and make the bench. 

There are two changes for the hosts, too, as Donyell Malen and Emiliano Buendia are preferred to Amadou Onana and Ollie Watkins.

LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Joao Pedro.

Subs: Jorgensen, Fofana, Tosin, Acheampong, Gusto, Santos, Estevao, Gittens, Delap.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Buendia, Rogers, Malen. 

Subs: Bizot, Digne, Garcia, Bogarde, Hemmings, Onana, Sancho, Watkins, Jimoh-Aloba.

price change predictions
529 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    On a green, but don’t really wanna watch Sanchez and Chelsea with Dubravka on my bench. He only needs a CS and a penalty save to put me right.

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  2. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Unlike most, have paid 4.7m for Dubravka points with useless Sels just sitting on the bench. At least points this week have saved me a transfer when 3 from defense are injured.

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    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Sels 4.6 now. Been tracking those drops since gameweek 2.

      I started Dub this week, but would be nice for Sels to get his place back at least. Juicy fixture next week.

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      1. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 58 mins ago

        I got him in GW13. Yeah he dropped to 4.6M but I paid 4.7M for him. I’m hoping he gets to play next week. Back to back Everton fixtures gold.

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        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 57 mins ago

          Paid 5m. Keepers always my Achilles heel.

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          1. fedolefan
            • 11 Years
            2 days, 28 mins ago

            I thought I timed it well with Petrovic GW1-GW12 and then Sels. Was pissed off about the missed Spurs clean. They were still points lost.

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    2. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 53 mins ago

      The cool kids have spent 6m to get 2 points most week.

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      1. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 26 mins ago

        I think outcomes don’t tilt as much a as looking at a weak team and not doing anything about it. The 1 pointer feels way worse if you know it’s a 1 pointer beforehand like with Dub. With Rays, you’re always hopeful of 6 even if it doesn’t work out.

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  3. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Need Palmer to go bonkers

    3% EO near my rank

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  4. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    59 with Rogers and Mateta to go. Could have been so much more with Ekitike TC.

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    1. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 53 mins ago

      Great score

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  5. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Close Cole

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  6. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    another dreadful gameweek. VVD Worst pick of the season, Timber a close 2nd since i got him in, OReily the most overrated "attacking" full back all he does is stand in the opponent's box without actually trying to score, so sick of him

    37 with just lacroix and dcl left only going to get worse. A rogers goal and i might even drop out of top 10k

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    1. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 53 mins ago

      You've got a very template looking team
      But fair play to you for your overall rank .
      Dropping out of 10k rank is something many on here can only dream about .
      You're in a good position to strike back & next gameweek starts on Tuesday

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      1. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 35 mins ago

        Yes I'm starting to hate my boring team a lot. I did get almost all of them before they became template but U always need to be in the hunt for the next template

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  7. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Richards to

    A) Frimpong
    B) Gabriel

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    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 56 mins ago

      A

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    2. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 53 mins ago

      B, no question

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  8. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    I may get Palmer in for Saka

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  9. Sailboats
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Saka > Palmer

    coming soon

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  10. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Chalobah haul needed

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  11. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 59 mins ago

    There must be loads of chips in play before the Gw19 turnaround, so if you're close to the safety score then you've done okay.

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    1. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 57 mins ago

      This. I have a small green arrow but no Rogers or Chelsea boys and I am pleased.

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  12. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 59 mins ago

    Do people not realize palmer wont even start on tuesday?

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    1. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 57 mins ago

      Why not?

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      1. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 55 mins ago

        they have city next weekend. he wont start 3 games in a week when theyre being so cautious with him

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    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      2 days, 55 mins ago

      He's back to fitness after injury layoff. Less fatigued than most Chelsea players.

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    3. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 52 mins ago

      I dont think that's a given by any means..think he starts and get 70-75 odd

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      1. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        2 days, 41 mins ago

        Starts and comes off after 30 holding his nuts…

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  13. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 58 mins ago

    Matty Cash loves a goal at Xmas as well

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  14. umerlfc
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 57 mins ago

    Cunha or Wirtz?

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    1. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 55 mins ago

      I went Wirtz with the logic being he is improving, Liverpool have two nice fixtures, Wirtz has an in form striker to tee up and I am unsure how effective Cunha will be without the star cast supporting him. I got a goal and 3BPS out of that decision.

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    2. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 52 mins ago

      I now have both. Just done Minteh to Cunha.

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    3. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 50 mins ago

      Cunha

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  15. F4L
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 57 mins ago

    looks like its 442 for villa with rogers up top

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    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 51 mins ago

      Rogers behind Malen, no?

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  16. Babit1967
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 57 mins ago

    Dubravka on the bench 🙁

    I can’t really complain with Leno tho, 2 cleanies on the trot.

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  17. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 51 mins ago

    Who is Best Defender for next GW ?

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    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 47 mins ago

      United

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  18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 49 mins ago

    How the heck is that not a yellow for Roger’s

    English bias. Cucurella does that and it’s a yellow and probably a red

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  19. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 48 mins ago

    Rogers not booked ?

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    1. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 46 mins ago

      Ref has him C

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  20. Deer-in-headlights
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 days, 46 mins ago

    Gordon (bur) or Wirtz (LEE) for FH19?

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    1. iFash@FPL
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 43 mins ago

      Wirtz seems to be turning his game around. And he often plays longer than Gordon.

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  21. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 46 mins ago

    Enzo miss

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  22. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 44 mins ago

    This is a behind the sofa game for me
    Benched Sanchez & Chalobah & don't own any Villa
    A 1-1 would be nice for low ownership players in the baps

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  23. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 44 mins ago

    Villa under pressure so Cash goes down with a nonexistent head injury. It’s getting ridiculous.

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 41 mins ago

      Ramsdale hamstring yesterday evening in the first half was scandalous. Didn’t really try and hide it at all and Hall went around barking orders to the full team after receiving instructions

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      1. Bigbars
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 40 mins ago

        he should be made to go off the pitch for "evaluation".. Players taking advantage as usual

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      2. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 40 mins ago

        Arsenal did the same today with Raya. Any keeper receiving treatment should also go off with another teammate temporarily in goal

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    2. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      2 days, 41 mins ago

      Play didn't stop at least

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 37 mins ago

        It sort of did, they delayed taking the goal kick until he was up.

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    3. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 41 mins ago

      Faking head injuries and GKs going down for tactical breathers are ruining the game.

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      1. Bigbars
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 39 mins ago

        and then the fake, rub of the head or neck or injury for a few moments after to continue the fakery..so embarrassing

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        1. lilmessipran
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 36 mins ago

          Indeed

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  24. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 42 mins ago

    This ref is terrible did he not bring the yellow cards wtf

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 40 mins ago

      Cucu and Rogers were lucky.

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    2. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 39 mins ago

      Enzo could have had a couple of yellows already

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  25. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 41 mins ago

    Keane missing defcon points?

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    1. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      2 days, 39 mins ago

      No

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    2. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 38 mins ago

      You must have missed them. You weren't keen enough.

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  26. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 40 mins ago

    Come on Cash!

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  27. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 39 mins ago

    Not Rogers day I think

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    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 39 mins ago

      Lucky not to have been carded

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  28. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 39 mins ago

    Pedro close

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  29. BUZZBOMB ♡
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 38 mins ago

    FH19

    Current Team:

    Pope Dubravka
    Timber Senesi Rodon Richards OReilly
    Saka Ricen Foden Cunha LeFee
    Haaland Ekitike Guiu

    Who to target?

    Dalot, Sesko v Wolves (H)?
    Hall, Schar, Gordon v Burnley? (A)
    Palmer, Enzo, Caicedo v Bounemouth (H)?
    MGW, CHO v Everton? (H)?

    Feel losing Arsenal and City 6 could massively backfire even though its Villa and Sunderland.

    Thoughts?

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  30. Ambrosiana Inter
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 38 mins ago

    After a series of green arrows and sitting at 150k a red arrow is incoming…I captained Thiago but didn’t go well, got Semenyo on the bench and 28 points Chalobah and ghuei left oh dear …I guess it was the best week to have a bad week though.

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    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 37 mins ago

      Free hit next week so hope to make it right straight away

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