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Football London
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Oliver Harbord & Alan Smith

Reece James in but Billy Gilmour out - The Chelsea team Frank Lampard should pick vs Aston Villa

Chelsea are back in Premier League action on Sunday when they make the trip to Aston Villa.

It's been more than 100 days since the Blues were last in action due to football's break because of the COVID-19 outbreak, but Frank Lampard is hoping his side will be able to get back up to speed quickly.

The Blues were going through something of an injury problem before the season was suspended, but the rest has given Lampard's players some time to get back to fitness.

But who should be in the starting XI? football.london's writers have their say.

Oliver Harbord - Chelsea correspondent

The big decision could be over the midfield and whether or not Billy Gilmour starts again with Jorginho suspended for another Premier League match.

The young Scot really impressed before the season's suspension, however with Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante back fit, Lampard should go for his 4-2-3-1 formation as an attacking option.

It means Gilmour would be on the bench, but it could bring out the best in Chelsea's forward play, with Christian Pulisic back and Willian on the other wing.

I would also go for Reece James at right-back, meaning Cesar Azpilicueta would switch over to the left.

Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger should be the starting centre-back pairing, with Fikayo Tomori injured.

Harbord's team (4-2-3-1) Kepa; James, Zouma, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Kante, Kovacic; Willian, Mount, Pulisic; Abraham

Alan Smith - Senior Writer

Frank Lampard has close to a full deck to choose from for almost the first time this season, presenting the head coach with plenty of options.

Yet there is a sense he will stick with tried and trusted with the biggest question who starts in holding midfield with Jorginho suspended.

Should Billy Gilmour continue there or will N’Golo Kante be ready to go? If the France star is fully fit then he must be first choice.

Tammy Abraham will return with Olivier Giroud coming off the bench, while Christian Pulisic seems the most likely to start on the left with Willian on his right.

Also expect to see Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s long-awaited return off the bench, while the only doubts over the back four is whether Reece James is at right back.

If so Cesar Azpilicueta will be shunted across to the left with Marcos Alonso dropping out.

Smith's team (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Zouma, Alonso; Kante; Mount, Kovacic; Willian, Abraham, Pulisic.

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