Dugout Discussion

Chelsea v Aston Villa: Enzo starts, Watkins a sub

27 December 2025 529 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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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. JT11fc
    • 7 Years
    17 hours, 6 mins ago

    Villa fan now, Villa for the Prem!
    badge is basically the same anyways

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  2. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    17 hours, 6 mins ago

    James averaging 6.6 ppg in his last 5 games.

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    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      16 hours, 59 mins ago

      Due an injury

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      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        16 hours, 49 mins ago

        Could be. Injured less than Palmer this season though.

        https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cyv8e7rd0g1o

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  3. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    17 hours, 4 mins ago

    Villa the real deal.

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  4. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    17 hours, 2 mins ago

    I have to BB next week but totally no idea with 2.1ITB and 1FT.

    Verb/Dub
    Timber/VVD/OReilly/Rodon/Hartman
    Saka/Foden/Cunha/HWilson/Potts
    Haaland/Ekitike/Thiago

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    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      16 hours, 59 mins ago

      Hartman > Dorgu or just leave as is for BB, hopeful for Timber to return

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      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        16 hours, 58 mins ago

        Ive been thinking about upgrading Potts but really any 6.5 mis worth having? And you are right about Hartman.

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    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      16 hours, 57 mins ago

      Just get the best bench you can. Anything's a bonus at this stage. Can you get from Potts to Szob?

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      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        16 hours, 56 mins ago

        0.1 short…

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  5. Scalper
    • 9 Years
    17 hours, 1 min ago

    Hello gentlemen, I posted a poll that’s really important to me about a week or so back. Please take time to look it over.

    Cheers,
    Scalper

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2025/12/19/fpl-gameweek-17-scout-picks-man-city-triple-up?hc_page=1&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_27462365

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      16 hours, 58 mins ago

      Slicka slicka slim Schade

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    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      16 hours, 57 mins ago

      That’s filth 😆

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  6. Yankee Toffee
    • 10 Years
    17 hours ago

    Right, free hitters next GW? 0/

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    1. Qaiss
      • 9 Years
      16 hours, 59 mins ago

      Hi

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    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      16 hours, 57 mins ago

      Hello hello

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        16 hours, 56 mins ago

        What’s the team consensus?

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        1. Yankee Toffee
          • 10 Years
          16 hours, 56 mins ago

          See below. Thoughts?

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    3. Yankee Toffee
      • 10 Years
      16 hours, 56 mins ago

      Might avoid ARS v Villa and target UTD, Citeh and NEW

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      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 10 Years
        16 hours, 55 mins ago

        And Pool

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    4. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      16 hours, 53 mins ago

      o/

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    5. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      16 hours, 46 mins ago

      0/

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  7. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    16 hours, 54 mins ago

    Score check

    40 points with Gudmundsson to go

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    1. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      16 hours, 53 mins ago

      42 with Rodon

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      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        16 hours, 46 mins ago

        Same

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    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      16 hours, 47 mins ago

      39 Guehi & DCL

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    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      16 hours, 45 mins ago

      45 with Geuhi

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    4. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      16 hours, 43 mins ago

      52 all out

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    5. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      16 hours, 35 mins ago

      36 with Mukiele

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    6. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      16 hours, 28 mins ago

      35 with Gudmund, Alderete and Guehi to go. Dropped down to 150k :/

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    7. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 6 Years
      16 hours, 21 mins ago

      62 (-4) all out.

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    8. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      16 hours, 20 mins ago

      65. Enzo to play.

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  8. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    16 hours, 50 mins ago

    GW 19 bus team -

    Areola
    NOR - Andersen - VDB
    Saka - Palmer - Foden - Cunha
    Haaland - Ekitike - Woltemade

    Dubravka - King - Gudmundsson - Reinildo

    Keane incoming for Andersen in 20. Save FT in 21. Gabriel comes in 22 for VDB with a Cunha downgrade. That’s the plan for now.

    Thoughts? 🙂

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  9. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    16 hours, 47 mins ago

    Arteta said something awkward happened yesterday with Calafiori, and today he want comfortable starting the game. I think maybe a small injury/cut that should resolve and he should start on Tuesday. For Timber, it was the load being managed. I can see Timber/Saliba/Gabriel/Cala starting together after a long time, our best defencive unit. Rice goes back to the midfield and Jesus/Martinelli get a start.

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  10. Bruin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    16 hours, 45 mins ago

    Is there any word on why Timber missed out today?

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  11. Pornchef
    • 2 Years
    16 hours, 44 mins ago

    Hincappe + Wilson to Cunha + Dorgu -4

    Will be priced out of I don't move tonight

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    1. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      16 hours, 44 mins ago

      Not bad

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    2. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      16 hours, 43 mins ago

      Yes

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  12. bigbudgie
    • 11 Years
    16 hours, 29 mins ago

    Has Sels lost his place now or still coming back from injury?

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    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      16 hours, 27 mins ago

      Victor's been pretty good, don't think Sels will just walk in

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    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      16 hours, 19 mins ago

      He's gone

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  13. Wizard of Ozil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 hours, 29 mins ago

    Where is the Roger’s assist????

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