Ranieri rules out Petit

Emmanuel Petit will miss the start of Chelsea’s Christmas programme against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

The French midfielder has been ill with a high temperature and although manager Claudio Ranieri says he is recovering well, he will sit out the game.

Midfielder Enrique de Lucas serves a one-match ban after amassing five yellow cards, but full-back Celestine Babayaro returns from his three-game suspension.

Centre-back William Gallas is likely to feature despite complaining of calf and back pain this week.

Provisional squad: Cudicini, Babayaro, Melchiot, Gallas, Desailly, Terry, Morris, Gronkjaer, Lampard, Le Saux, Stanic, Zola, Hasselbaink, Gudjohnsen, De Goey, Ferrer, Zenden.