Chelsea vs Aston Villa team news: Eden Hazard dropped, Ruben Loftus-Cheek starts ahead of Nemanja Matic

The Belgian midfielder is the latest victim of Mourinho's ruthless selection policy

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard (Getty Images)

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has dropped Eden Hazard for today's Premier League meeting with Aston Villa.

The embattled boss has also chosen to start young midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek ahead of Nemanja Matic

Loftus-Cheek will partner Ramires in front of the back four with Cesc Fabregas in a more advanced role. Oscar drops to the bench.

Diego Costa returns from his three-game suspension and Baba Rahman makes his first Premier League start, replacing the injured Branislav Ivanovic.

Aston Villa recall Jack Grealish to the starting line-up. The young midfielder missed out on a starting berth last time out against Stoke City.

Rudy Gestede, who has three league goals to his name this season, starts up front.

Team news

Chelsea: Begovic, Baba, Terry, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Loftus-Cheek, Ramires, Willian, Fabregas, Pedro, Diego Costa

Substitutes: Blackman, Cahill, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Hazard, Remy

Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Richardson, Gil, Gana, Westwood, Ayew, Gestede, Grealish

Substitutes: Bunn, Bacuna, Sinclair, Traore, Amavi, Sanchez, Crespo