'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea fans on X are fuming after Mauricio Pochettino opted to include Benoit Badiashile in the starting XI to face Aston Villa. The two sides are set to face each other in the Premier League at Villa Park on Saturday, April 27.
Djordje Petrovic starts in goal for the Blues. Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, and Marc Cucurella make up the defense. The midfield consists of Moises Caicedo, Conor Gallagher, and Cole Palmer. Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Nicolas Jackson start up front to complete the starting XI.
Fans aren't pleased with Badiashile's inclusion. The 23-year-old center-back struggled against Arsenal during Chelsea's 5-0 loss midweek and has failed to impress this season, making just 16 appearances across all competitions.
One fans posted:
"So far Badiashile is in the line up, Chelsea have lost already."
Another fan wrote:
"Badiashile got a start after that last performance??? Poch is trying to get sacked."
Other fan reactions can be viewed below:
"Badiashile again? It’s over chale. Y’all enjoy the game! Congrats villa", one fan stated.
"What’s wrong with the coach omG Badiashile again then we are down by 2 goals to nill already", another fan said.
"Ain't no way he's staring Badiashile again. SACK HIM NOW!" one fan wrote.
"Why is badiashile starting?", one fan questioned.
What happened the last time Chelsea faced Aston Villa in the Premier League?
Chelsea will be aiming to bounce back following their embarrassing 0-5 loss to Arsenal. They are ninth in the league standings with 47 points from 32 games, while Aston Villa are firmly in contention to finish in the top four - being in fourth place with 66 points from 34 games. Let's take a look at what happened the last time these two sides faced each other in the league:
The Blues hosted Unai Emery's men at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture on September 24, 2023, where they suffered a 1-0 loss. Malo Gusto's 58th-minute red card enabled Villa to get back into the game where they secured all three points through Ollie Watkins' 73rd-minute winner.
Both sides also faced each other in the fourth round of the FA Cup on January 26, 2024, in a stalemate. However, the Blues got their revenge in the replay at Villa Park on February 7, winning 3-1 in dominant fashion.
