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    [title] => Colwill, Chilwell, Gusto - Chelsea injury news and return dates before Villa clash
    [long_title] => Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell, Malo Gusto - Chelsea injury news and return dates before Aston Villa clash
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    [description] => <strong>Sports Mole</strong> rounds up all of Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.
    [body] => Chelsea are back in action on Saturday evening when they square off against Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The Blues have endured a disappointing few days, first losing 1-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals before <a href="/football/arsenal/title-race/result/havertz-haunts-chelsea-as-five-star-arsenal-extend-lead-at-pl-summit_542031.html">being thrashed 5-0 by Arsenal</a> in the top flight three days later.

Although Mauricio Pochettino's side have games in hand on some of the teams above them, the West Londoners need a positive response to stay in the race for European qualification.

Here, <strong>Sports Mole</strong> rounds up Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the showdown with Villa, who <a href="/football/aston-villa/top-four-race/result/villa-strengthen-grip-on-fourth-spot-with-home-win-over-bournemouth_541889.html">defeated Bournemouth</a> in their last game.
<hr />

<strong><h2>Robert Sanchez</h2></strong>

<!-- img 123916 -->

<strong>Status:</strong> Major doubt
<strong>Type of injury:</strong> Illness
<strong>Possible return date:</strong> April 27 (vs. Aston Villa)

Robert Sanchez was again absent from the ranks to face Arsenal, the latest update being due to illness, but the Spaniard is said to have returned to partial training.
<hr />

<strong><h2>Levi Colwill</h2></strong>

<!-- img 119457 -->

<strong>Status:</strong> Out
<strong>Type of injury:</strong> Toe
<strong>Possible return date:</strong> May 2 (vs. Tottenham Hotspur)

Levi Colwill has been dealing with a troublesome toe problem for several weeks and while the defender has stepped up his recovery, he has been ruled out of this contest.
<hr />

<strong><h2>Christopher Nkunku</h2></strong>

<!-- img 124188 -->

<strong>Status:</strong> Major doubt
<strong>Type of injury:</strong> Hamstring
<strong>Possible return date:</strong> April 27 (vs. Aston Villa)

Christopher Nkunku is in a similar position to Colwill with Pochettino waiting to see how his body reacts to a return to training. At best, Nkunku may be named among the replacements.
<hr />

<strong><h2>Wesley Fofana</h2></strong>

<!-- img 106666 -->

<strong>Status:</strong> Out
<strong>Type of injury:</strong> Knee
<strong>Possible return date:</strong> Unknown

The hapless Wesley Fofana remains glued to the treatment table due to his serious knee injury, and Pochettino has conceded he does not envisage the Frenchman returning before the end of the season.
<hr />

<strong><h2>Reece James</h2></strong>

<!-- img 120475 -->

<strong>Status:</strong> Out
<strong>Type of injury:</strong> Hamstring
<strong>Possible return date:</strong> Unknown

Similarly, captain Reece James is on the recovery trail from hamstring surgery, and no timeframe has been placed on his recovery, but the right-back has at least returned to partial training.
<hr />

<strong><h2>Lesley Ugochukwu</h2></strong>

<!-- img 119943 -->

<strong>Status:</strong> Major doubt
<strong>Type of injury:</strong> Hamstring
<strong>Possible return date:</strong> April 27 (vs. Aston Villa)

Lesley Ugochukwu, who is yet to appear in 2024 due to a hamstring injury, is another who has recently stepped up his recovery, from a long-term hamstring injury in this instance. A spot on the substitutes' bench is not out of the question.
<hr />

<strong><h2>Romeo Lavia</h2></strong>

<!-- img 124311 -->

<strong>Status:</strong> Out
<strong>Type of injury:</strong> Thigh
<strong>Possible return date:</strong> Unknown

Romeo Lavia's debut season at Chelsea will end with just one appearance to his name, as the Belgian is nursing a severe thigh problem and has already been ruled out until the 2024-25 season.
<hr />

<strong><h2>Malo Gusto</h2></strong>

<!-- img 120414 -->

<strong>Status:</strong> Out
<strong>Type of injury:</strong> Knee
<strong>Possible return date:</strong> Unknown

Malo Gusto needed medical attention at Wembley over the weekend and the right-back is now revealed to be suffering from a knee ligament issue, which is expected to keep him out of this game.
<hr />

<strong><h2>Ben Chilwell</h2></strong>

<!-- img 113096 -->

<strong>Status:</strong> Out
<strong>Type of injury:</strong> Knee
<strong>Possible return date:</strong> Unknown

Similarly, Ben Chilwell has been suffering from a recurrence of the knee injury that he picked up on England duty and there is no timeframe on his return to action.
<hr />

<strong><h2>Carney Chukwuemeka</h2></strong>

<!-- img 127533 -->

<strong>Status:</strong> Major doubt
<strong>Type of injury:</strong> Unspecified
<strong>Possible return date:</strong> April 27 (vs. Aston Villa)

Carney Chukwuemeka was added to the Chelsea injury update on Friday, it being said that he was "undergoing medical assessment".
<hr />

<strong><h2>Raheem Sterling</h2></strong>

<!-- img 127374 -->

<strong>Status:</strong> Major doubt
<strong>Type of injury:</strong> Unspecified
<strong>Possible return date:</strong> April 27 (vs. Aston Villa)

Raheem Sterling is in the same situation as Chukwuemeka, it being unclear whether he will be in contention to face the Villans.
<hr />

<strong><h2>CHELSEA'S SUSPENSION LIST</h2></strong>

Chelsea have no players suspended for this match. 

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