Chelsea handed double injury boost as Delap and Estevão return before Villa clash

Chelsea have been handed a significant double fitness boost ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa, with Enzo Maresca confirming both Estevão and Liam Delap are available for selection.

The Blues host an in-form Villa side at Stamford Bridge on 27 December, knowing they face one of the league’s toughest challenges after Unai Emery’s men extended their winning run to ten matches in all competitions.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Enzo Maresca confirmed the positive news for Chelsea’s forward line.

“[Estevão] is back. He is available for Saturday,” Maresca said. “And also Liam Delap, he is available for Saturday.”

Delap has been sidelined since picking up a shoulder injury in Chelsea’s 0-0 draw away at Bournemouth earlier this month, while fellow summer signing Estevão missed last week’s 3-1 win at Cardiff due to what Maresca described as a “small muscular problem”.

Their returns come at a crucial time as Chelsea look to add more cutting edge against one of the Premier League’s most in-form sides.

While the double boost is welcome, Chelsea are still without several important players. Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugoand Levi Colwill all remain sidelined as longer-term absentees and are not expected to feature over the festive period.

Maresca will therefore need to balance the excitement of returning attackers with careful squad management during a congested run of fixtures.

Chelsea’s task is made even tougher by the form of Aston Villa, who have surged into the title picture after a slow start to the campaign.

Villa have won ten consecutive matches across all competitions and currently sit seven points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League standings — underlining the scale of the challenge facing the Blues.

Stopping Villa’s momentum will require Chelsea to be close to their best, and the availability of Delap and Estevão could prove vital.

With confidence growing and attacking options boosted, Chelsea will hope the returning pair can help them bridge the gap on a direct rival and restore momentum heading into the New Year.

Chelsea face Aston Villa on Saturday 27 December in a fixture that could shape their position heading into 2026. With attacking reinforcements back, Maresca will be keen to see an immediate impact — but defensive discipline will be just as crucial against a Villa side brimming with confidence.

Can Chelsea use this injury boost to halt Villa’s remarkable run?