Aston Villa manager David O’Leary will be without the injured Jlloyd Samuel and Gavin McCann for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Full-back Samuel and midfielder McCann are ruled out via the groin and knee problems respectively which have dogged them in recent weeks.
With striker Carlton Cole unable to play as part of the loan agreement with Chelsea, O’Leary has only 16 players at his disposal.
But Lee Hendrie will return after serving a three match suspension for his sending-off for violent conduct against Manchester City.
Probable team: Sorensen, De la Cruz, Delaney, Mellberg, Barry, Solano, Hendrie, Davis, Berson, Whittingham, Angel. Subs: Ridgewell, Postma, L. Moore, S. Moore, Drobny.