Yahoo Finance Chelsea XI vs Aston Villa: Starting lineup, confirmed team news - Timo Werner starts
Timo Werner starts for the first time since the opening game of the season as Thomas Tuchal rings the changes for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa.
The German has not been in the starting XI since victory against Crystal Palace last month.
But Tuchel believes he is close to returning to form after such a difficult start to his Chelsea career.
Ahead of Wednesday’s game Tuchel said: “We know that he can be much more dangerous and much more of an attacking threat than he was. In the last training sessions he’s been more relaxed, more fluid in his movements, and showing more confidence.
“And that’s why we put him on early against Tottenham, because we saw this development and there are clear signs that he is on a good way. And I hope he can show and prove it.
“Sometimes it needs a bit of time. Sometimes you don’t have this one particular reason why things look a bit more easy, but Timo is in this moment. Also he can push himself and keep this momentum going.
“Everybody is happy if he can show his skills in front of goal. This is why he is here to be dangerous, to score goals and also to assist. And to create and open spaces with aggressive runs. This was a big step forward in the last game against Tottenham.”
Tuchel has named a strong team with N’Golo Kante captaining and Saul Niguez getting his second start since signing on loan from Atletico.
Chelsea team (3-4-2-1): Kepa; James, Chalobah, Sarr; Hudson-Odoi, Kante (c), Saul, Chilwell; Ziyech, Werner, Loftus-Cheek
Substitutes: Bettinelli, Mbuyamba, Thiago Silva, Barkley, Havertz, Mount, Lukaku
Aston Villa: Steer, Cash, Tuanzebe, Hause, Young (c), Sanson, Nakamba, Traore, Buendia, El Ghazi, Archer
Substitutes: Sinisalo, Konsa, Bogarde, Carney, A. Ramsey, Philogene-Bidacey, Caleb
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