Ross Barkley to miss the final game of his Aston Villa loan spell with Chelsea
The midfielder is ineligible to face his parent club on Sunday.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ross Barkley has played the final game of his Aston Villa loan spell as he is ineligible to face parent club Chelsea.
The midfielder has struggled for consistency this season and has made only 18 Premier League starts.
Matt Cash (hamstring) and Morgan Sanson (knee) remain out for Dean Smith’s side while Trezeguet is not expected to return until next season as he recovers from a serious knee injury.
Aston Villa provisional squad: Martinez, Heaton, Steer, Taylor, Engels, Elmohamady, Hause, Mings, Konsa, Targett, Philogene-Bidace, Chukwuemeka, Grealish, El Ghazi, Luiz, McGinn, Nakamba, Ramsey, Traore, Watkins, Davis, Wesley.
Chelsea will hand late fitness tests to Kai Havertz and N’Golo Kante.
Havertz has battled a muscle issue, with Kante dealing with a hamstring concern.
Andreas Christensen will return after a leg tendon complaint.
Chelsea provisional squad: Arrizabalaga, Rudiger, Alonso, Christensen, Jorginho, Silva, Kante, Abraham, Pulisic, Werner, Caballero, Zouma, Mendy, Kovacic, Giroud, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Chilwell, Ziyech, James, Azpilicueta, Havertz, Palmieri, Gilmour, Anjorin.