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Bobby Vincent

Aubameyang glowing, no Mason Mount: Four things spotted in Chelsea training ahead of Aston Villa

It's been a great week for Chelsea all in all. Three points at the weekend in a convincing performance against Wolves, coupled with an impressive display to win in Milan. Graham Potter will be delighted.

The matches continue to come thick and fast for the Blues, with a trip to the Midlands to face Aston Villa on Sunday. It's the fifth game of October, where Chelsea are scheduled to play 10 times. So at the halfway point, it's all looking good for Potter and his squad.

The final five matches of the month are arguably more difficult for Chelsea, though. The Blues face four away trips to Villa, Brentford, Red Bull Salzburg and Brighton, while their home match is against Manchester United, who have shown glimpses of brilliance under Erik ten Hag.

READ MORE: Every word Graham Potter said on Aston Villa vs Chelsea, Reece James, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, more

First up, though, is a trip to Villa Park and Potter has been putting his players through their final preparations. So, with that being said, football.london takes a look at the latest batch of training photos and assess the four biggest talking points.

Smiles for Auba

It was all smiles for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Cobham and why wouldn't it be? The Chelsea striker has now bagged three goals in as many matches for the Blues and is starting to show the prolific striker we've all seen in the Premier League before.

Goals against Crystal Palace, one in the home match against AC Milan and another at the San Siro means Aubameyang is loving his football at the moment. Chelsea supporters are perhaps not used to having what can only be described as a 'proper number nine', but Aubameyang looks to be that man.

No Mount

One notable absentee from training was Mason Mount. The 23-year-old was tremendous in the first-half against AC Milan in the week, but he was substituted at half-time by Potter.

Mount picked up a knock to his thigh and is expected to undergo a scan today (Saturday). However, there is expectation the England international will be involved against Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Chelsea midfielder is the only outfield player to start every match under Potter. The Blues head coach will be hoping Mount is fit enough to carry on that trend at Villa Park.

Ziyech return

Hakim Ziyech missed Tuesday night's win in Milan because of illness but was pictured at Cobham on Friday. The 29-year-old has only played three times in the Premier League so far this season with only four minutes recorded under Potter.

So, with that rather damning fact, it looks unlikely he will get chosen from the start on Sunday regardless of his return to training. He could, however, be one Potter uses from the bench should Chelsea require some attacking inspiration.

Azpi focus

Chelsea supporters were devastated on Friday to find out the news that Reece James is facing a race to be fit for the World Cup in Qatar. James sustained a knee injury in Tuesday's win at the San Siro and the problem is worse than initially feared, football.london understands.

The news leaves Potter rather short at right-back/right wing-back, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Ruben Loftus-Cheek the two options. On Friday, Azpilicueta looked extremely focused when pictured in training, with the Spaniard now set to be handed more minutes in the first-team.

Azpilicueta could be the man Potter turns to against Villa. The Chelsea head coach has kept us guessing with his line-ups ever since being appointed last month, so it's unknown at this point whether he will use a four-back or three-back formation.

If it is a four-back, then Azpilicueta's place looks all-but certain. However, if he plays three at the back with wing-backs, then there is a shout for Loftus-Cheek to play.

READ NEXT:

Mount rest, Cucurella solution – Five Chelsea changes Graham Potter must consider vs Aston Villa

Graham Potter out to improve Chelsea injury record and explains role in N'Golo Kante decision

Chilwell dropped, Havertz call – Chelsea starting XI Graham Potter should pick vs Aston Villa

The Chelsea fixtures Reece James could miss through injury: Manchester United, Arsenal, Man City

Mason Mount Chelsea injury latest as Graham Potter faces anxious wait ahead of Aston Villa

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