Chelsea return to Premier League action on Sunday after three months of enforced break with a trip to Villa Park, and a victory at the expense of the struggling Aston Villa will boost the Blues’ chances of finishing in the top-four.
Frank Lampard’s side prepared for the game with friendly games against Reading and Queens Park Rangers.
Chelsea strolled to a 7-1 victory against QPR but Reading gave them the run for the money in a narrow 1-0 win.
The Stamford Bridge outfit were handed a massive injury boost as Ruben Loftus-Cheek took part in the game, playing alongside the first-team players for the first time since suffering a serious Achilles injury before last year’s Europa League final.