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Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has confirmed that Hakim Ziyech will miss today’s clash against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
Ziyech, the Moroccan winger, was expected to return to Chelsea against Arsenal on Boxing Day, but remained out of the game for the 3-1 loss.
The 27-year-old, who is off to an encouraging start in the Premier League after his summer transfer from Ajax, suffered a hamstring injury earlier this month.
Lampard confirmed to football.london Ziyech’s absence will continue against Villa and hinted at making changes to the team that was comfortably defeated at The Emirates.
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“They did it [lack character] and the players know it, “said Lampard.” The first half we missed. The second half we didn’t, to be fair, and there will be some players who will walk away with credit for performances in the second half.
“I’m not going to generalize that that’s the case because it isn’t. But we did it today and football will punish you if you show up and have that kind of lack of basics in your game.”
Callum Hudson-Odoi is likely to start after looking uplifted by replacing Timo Werner against Arsenal and Jorginho could replace Mateo Kovacic in midfield after coming on as a substitute.
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Lampard told Chelsea TV: “Callum did really well. Callum was fantastic with his energy. That’s what we absolutely needed.”
“That’s why he will play in the next game and if Callum plays like that, he can be a serious player.”
Lampard also suggested that he substituted for N’Golo Kante during the second half against the Gunners to ensure he is ready to face Villa, who topped Chelsea in the Premier League table with a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace. .
“Some players will need to come in to add energy, to add mentality,” he added. N’Golo, I did it with a bit of that in mind because of how important it is to us.
“But I’ll have to see how the next 24 hours go.”
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