Chelsea team news: Confirmed line-up v Aston Villa – Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Matt Miazga start, Alexandre Pato on the bench

Chelsea travel to Villa Park to take on Premier League strugglers Aston Villa this afternoon.

The Midlands side currently sit 12 points adrift of safety, and having sacked Remi Garde midweek, assistant boss Eric Black is in temporary charge for the visit of the Blues.

Guus Hiddink’s side have little to play for heading into the final stage of the campaign, as they are currently ten points off the top four, and few believe they will even manage to qualify for the Europa League.

The Dutch boss has opted to field a changed side, with youngster Rubern Loftus-Cheek starting, and Jake Clarke-Salter on the bench.

Alexandre Pato could make his first Blues appearance with the Brazilian forward again named on the bench, while fellow January signing Matt Miazga makes a suprise debut in the centre of defence.

Aston Villa XI: Guzan, Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Cissokho, Westwood, Gana, Gil, Sanchez, Ayew, Gestede

Aston Villa substitues: Okore, Bacuna, Sinclair, Veretout, Bunn, Lyden, Grealish

Chelsea XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Miazga, Baba, Fabregas, Mikel, Pedro, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Remy

Chelsea substitutes: Begovic, Oscar, Falcao, Alexandre Pato, Traore, Matic, Clarke-Salter