Ancelotti under pressure in defence

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has a defensive quandary ahead of Sunday’s Barclays Premier League game with Aston Villa.

Branislav Ivanovic is suspended, meaning Ancelotti must decide whether to play Paulo Ferreira as a makeshift centre-half or put his faith in teenager Jeffrey Bruma.

John Obi Mikel is set to miss out again with a knee injury, Daniel Sturridge (knee) could be fit after returning to training, while Yury Zhirkov (calf), Alex (knee), and Yossi Benayoun (Achilles) remain sidelined.

Provisional squad: Cech, Turnbull, Bosingwa, Hilario, Ferreira, Cole, Terry, Essien, Lampard, Ramires, McEachran, Malouda, Kalou, Drogba, Anelka, Bruma, Sturridge, Kakuta, Van Aanholt.