As Aston Villa prepares to take on Chelsea this weekend, they will have to wait to see if their key players will be fit enough to play. Christopher Nkunku, who has been a standout player, recently became the first Chelsea player to score in his first four major European appearances. But with injuries to Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto, and Reece James currently sidelined, former Aston Villa academy player Omari Kellyman may have his chance to make his senior debut for Chelsea.
Chelsea's Injury Woes Ahead of Aston Villa Clash
As Aston Villa prepares to face Chelsea this weekend, both teams will be anxiously awaiting the fitness of key players. Chelsea, in particular, has been hit hard by injuries, with Pedro Neto, Malo Gusto, and Reece James all currently sidelined.
Christopher Nkunku's Impressive Start
Despite the injury concerns, Chelsea has enjoyed a strong start to the season, with Christopher Nkunku emerging as a standout player. The French forward has become the first Chelsea player to score in his first four major European appearances, highlighting his exceptional goalscoring prowess.
Omari Kellyman's Potential Debut
With injuries to several key defenders, former Aston Villa academy player Omari Kellyman may have his chance to make his senior debut for Chelsea. The young defender has impressed in the academy and could be called upon to fill the void left by James.
Top 5 FAQs on Chelsea's Injury Situation
1. Who is the most important injured player for Chelsea? Reece James is arguably Chelsea's most important injured player, as he provides both defensive solidity and attacking threat as a wing-back.
2. How long will Pedro Neto be out? Neto is expected to be out for at least a month with an ankle injury.
3. What is the extent of Malo Gusto's injury? Gusto is also expected to be out for a month with a hamstring injury.
4. Is Omari Kellyman ready to make his debut? Kellyman is a promising defender who has impressed in the academy, but it remains to be seen if he is ready for first-team action.
5. How will Chelsea's injuries affect their performance against Aston Villa? The injuries to key players could weaken Chelsea's defense and make it more difficult for them to break down Aston Villa's defense.
Liverpool failed to impress in their EFL Cup match against Crystal Palace, suffering a 3-0 loss at Selhurst Park. Despite a slow start, the Eagles took the lead in the 41st minute with a goal from Ismaila Sarr. They doubled this lead just four minutes later with another goal from Sarr. In the 79th minute, Liverpool was reduced to ten men before Yeremy Pino sealed the victory for Palace with a goal in the 88th minute. The disappointing result leaves Liverpool with a lot to reflect on and improve upon for their upcoming matches.
Chelsea faced a thrilling battle against Wolves in the Carabao Cup, ultimately securing a quarter-final spot with a 4-3 win. The away team dominated in the first half, leaving Wolves struggling to keep up. However, a determined Wolves side fought back in the second half, with Tolu Arokodare and David Moller Wolfe scoring to close the gap. Despite a late red card for Chelsea's Liam Delap, they were able to hold on to their lead and secure the win.
Liverpool's woes continue as they suffer their sixth defeat in seven games, this time against Crystal Palace. Despite the pressure mounting, manager Arne Slot remains confident in his job security, stating that it has not changed much after this loss. However, he acknowledges that there are multiple reasons for their downturn in form and refuses to make excuses. Share your thoughts on Liverpool's struggles in the comments.
Liverpool's struggles continue as they suffer their fifth defeat in six games across all competitions. With key players out injured and a new goalkeeper making his debut, the Reds were unable to find their form against a strong Crystal Palace side. This loss adds pressure on coach Arne Slot and raises questions about their chances in the Premier League and Champions League competitions. Liverpool will have to regroup quickly as they play two more games at Anfield next week.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, who was signed from Real Sociedad in 2024, has opened up about the difficult start to his career with the Gunners when he suffered a rare shoulder injury during his very first training session. In an interview with La Media Inglesa, the Spanish international talks about how this injury, which he didn't even know was possible on the football pitch, delayed his debut by a month. Despite the setback, Merino has become an important player for both club and country since joining Arsenal.
In a night to remember for the Arsenal academy, 15-year-old Max Dowman made history as the youngest starter for the club, while 17-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous also made his first start. Following a goal from fellow Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri sealed the win for Arsenal with a goal of his own. The club's impressive young lineup proved to be too much for Brighton, securing their spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Despite fielding a team of teenagers in the League Cup, Liverpool manager Arne Slot was left disappointed with his side's performance against Crystal Palace, as they crashed out of the competition with a 2-0 loss. While 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha showed glimpses of his talent, the rest of the Liverpool fringe players failed to impress, highlighting the need for reinforcements in defence. With Palace previously interested in captain Marc Guehi, this match also served as a reminder of Liverpool's failed attempts to sign him during the summer transfer window.
The Proteas Women's cricket team made history as they dominated England in the first semifinal of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, securing a comprehensive 125-run victory and securing their spot in the final. Captain Laura Wolvaardt led the way with a stunning knock of 169, with support from Marizanne Kapp (5 wickets) and a strong team effort to reach a second-highest score in World Cup knockout matches. The Proteas will now face either India or Australia in the final.
In a historic performance, South African pace bowler Marizanne Kapp took a spectacular five-wicket haul against England in the semi-final of the ICC Women's World Cup. With this impressive feat, Kapp surpassed Indian legend Jhulan Goswami to become the leading wicket-taker in Women's World Cup history. Kapp's dominance on the field was undeniable as she claimed wickets with a double-wicket maiden and two more in her third spell. Her incredible achievement solidifies her place as one of the best female cricketers in the world.
After two successive heartbreaking exits in the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World Cup at the hands of England, South Africa finally emerged victorious in the 2025 edition. Captain Laura Wolvaardt's phenomenal knock of 169 runs, supported by a fiery five-wicket haul from all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, helped the Proteas defeat England by a commanding 125 runs in the semi-final. Wolvaardt's innings also saw her create multiple records, becoming the first South African woman to cross 5,000 ODI runs and join the elite club of 10 ODI century scorers.