A young Chelsea team were beaten in Abu Dhabi by Premier League rivals Aston Villa on their return to action following the World Cup break.

While all the usual caveats must be applied, Graham Potter’s side were disappointing and proved unable to answer John McGinn’s goal in the seventh minute despite seeing much of the ball.

The biggest concern, however, will be the injury to Armando Broja. The striker was stretchered off in the first-half with what looked like a serious knee injury, with the Albania international in obvious pain after colliding with Ezri Konsa and Robin Olsen.

One of the few bright spots for Chelsea was Omari Hutchinson. Brought to the club as part of the added focus on strengthening youth options, the 19-year-old hit the post with a brilliant effort not long after McGinn’s goal and caused problems all night.

Chelsea are back in action against Bournemouth on December 27.

Aston Villa vs Chelsea latest news

• GOAL! McGinn opens the scoring for Villa

FT: Aston Villa 1-0 Chelsea

16:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

John McGinn’s goal the difference but the biggest concern for Chelsea will be Armando Broja’s injury.

CHANCE FOR VILLA

16:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

88:00 - Ings should really wrap-up the win for Villa when faced with a 1v1 but somehow puts it wide.

Omari Hutchinson has been a standout

15:58 , Jonathan Gorrie

85:00 - Almost Hazard-esque the way the winger can turn so easily before driving up-field.

Chelsea need something

15:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

74:00 - Clearly, the result doesn’t really matter, but to not create many chances would be hugely disappointing. Frankly, they’re currently on course to do exactly that.

Villa camped inside Chelsea’s final third

15:43 , Jonathan Gorrie

68:00 - Villa enjoying a lot of the ball in the Chelsea final third at the moment, controlling much of the game.

Casadei’s introduction, however, has given Potter’s side some real threat through the midde of the park.

Villa changes

15:37 , Jonathan Gorrie

Chelsea tempo dips

15:29 , Jonathan Gorrie

54:00 - Hutchinson offered a great chance to get in-behind Villa but cannot get onto Brooking’s through ball.

Chelsea looking rather stodgy at the moment.

Much better from Chelsea

15:23 , Jonathan Gorrie

49:00 - Webster really getting on the ball, with Chelsea building much more in the final third here.

CHANCE FOR CHELSEA

15:21 , Jonathan Gorrie

47:00 - Brilliant move from Chelsea as Hutchinson finds Rainkine, who tees up Hall.

The midfielder shoots from just inside the box but it’s well saved.

Back underway!

15:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

Here we go!

HT: Aston Villa 1-0 Chelsea

15:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

Not much to shout about for Chelsea!

Not the most inspiring of halves from Chelsea

15:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

45:00 - Clearly, there are plenty of caveats that need to be applied, but so little invention up front.

CHANCE FOR VILLA!

14:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

42:00 - Watkins heads over after a good ball from Digne.

CHANCE FOR ASTON VILLA!

14:44 , Jonathan Gorrie

33:00 - Watkins almost taps in at the near post but it’s well saved after a lovely ball from Douglas Luiz.

Not brilliant from Chelsea

14:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

30:00 - Very little coming up front for Chelsea. Lewis Hall has impressed in midfield but is struggling to free any of the attackers.

Broja off

14:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

25:00 - Rankine on for Broja, who is stretchered off.

Big injury worry for Broja

14:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

21:00 - The Chelsea striker can be heard screaming in pain after a clash with Konsa.

Awful scenes.

CHANCES FOR CHELSEA

14:29 , Jonathan Gorrie

19:00 - Broja and Webster both sees shots at close range blocked after punishing Villa for some sloppy play out from the back.

CHANCE FOR CHELSEA

14:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

13:00 - BRILLIANT work from Hutchinson, who strikes the post with a curling effort after jinking inside the box past defender.

He’s been a real bright spark.

Far too easy

14:22 , Jonathan Gorrie

11:00 - Chelsea not exactly making it difficult for Villa to play through them at the moment.

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Chelsea | John McGinn ‘7

14:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

7:00 - The Villa captain strokes it home from just inside the box after Watkins plays him in.

Not the highest tempo

14:17 , Jonathan Gorrie

06:00 - Seems like both teams are happy to build their fitness more than anything, which is hardly surprising.

CHANCE FOR CHELSEA

14:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

04:00 - Brilliant work from Hutchinson, who spins his defender before passing to Aubameyang, who gives him the reverse.

Hutchinson’s shot, however, does not have enough on it to trouble Olsen.

Villa on the ball

14:14 , Jonathan Gorrie

03:00 - Chelsea not getting much of the ball at the moment, though are sitting in a nice shape.

Scrappy so far.

KICK-OFF

14:12 , Jonathan Gorrie

After 29 days away, Chelsea are back in action!

13:59 , Jonathan Gorrie

Marcus Bettinelli looking to make an impact

13:52 , Jonathan Gorrie

“For the last two seasons, minutes have been few and far between for me,” he told the club’s official website.

“I am looking forward to the match today. It is only a friendly, but it is still Aston Villa, and a fresh chance to show the manager what you can do personally,’ he said.

“We’re really looking forward to it. It should be a good day, so let’s finish the week with a positive result.”

Mason Mount reacts to England’s World Cup exit

13:38 , Jonathan Gorrie

Man City and Barcelona join Chelsea in transfer battle for Josko Gvardiol after World Cup displays

13:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

Chelsea target Josko Gvardiol has taken the World Cup by storm to increase the transfer interest in the Croatia star.

The RB Leipzig defender was dominant at the back in Croatia’s penalty shootout win over Japan after goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three spot kicks following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.

Gvardiol has been excelling in front of a global audience for the first time in Qatar. His performances have attracted interest beyond just Chelsea, with Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona now ready to rival any bids for the 20-year-old

His agent, Marjan Sisic, said on Monday that Gvardiol is “not in a hurry” to decide his future after Chelsea’s new owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake tried to force a transfer through this summer.

For Croatia, Gvardiol is the great hope ahead of a tough quarter-final match against Brazil on Friday.

Confirmed Aston Villa lineup

13:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

Confirmed Chelsea lineup

13:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

Jude Bellingham transfer race heats up as PSG confirm interest in Chelsea and Liverpool target

12:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has publicly confirmed the club’s interest in signing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.

The former Birmingham starlet was already considered as one of European football’s hottest midfield properties before embarking upon a terrific World Cup campaign in which he has played a central role in England’s goal-laden run to the quarter-finals.

Such impressive displays in Qatar have only added to the ever-growing buzz around Bellingham and his enormous potential, with the already fervent transfer speculation ratcheting up even further.

The 19-year-old is expected to leave Dortmund next summer after two valuable seasons in the Bundesliga that followed his Championship breakout, with a host of Europe’s top clubs believed to be queuing up to sign him including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid, to name just few.

That swelling number also includes PSG, with Al-Khelaifi making no secret of their interest as they look to further improve a star-studded squad that already includes the likes of vaunted attacking trio Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

Joao Felix to decide Atletico Madrid future after World Cup as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United eye deal

12:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

Portugal star Joao Felix will resolve his future at Atletico Madrid after the World Cup, amid transfer interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Felix has starred for Portugal in Qatar, scoring two goals on their way to a quarter-final tie against Morocco on Saturday.

It is a different story at Atletico, though, where Felix has fallen out of favour under head coach Diego Simeone.

That has prompted Atletico to look at selling him in January, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all admirers of the forward, who has an £86million price tag.

The 23-year-old, however, isn’t getting distracted by transfer talk and will stay fully focused on the World Cup.

“I am focused 100 per cent here on the national squad,” said Felix. “I am concentrated on giving a good performance to help this team, to help the Portugal team, and to give people happiness.

“Atletico is something I have to look at when the World Cup ends. I am 100 per cent focused here.”

Felix was one of the stars of the show in the last-16, setting up two goals as Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1, and it led to him being compared to Brazil legend Kaka.

“Regarding the comparisons, Kaka was one of the best in the world,” said Felix. “He is a great footballer.

“He won everything there is to win and I am just starting my career. But obviously it is always good to hear that kind of comparison.”

Chelsea boss Potter issues injury update on James, Kante and more

12:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

Graham Potter says Reece James is the nearest of Chelsea’s injured stars to a full return to training.

The England defender has been reintroduced to light training this week as the Blues ramp up preparations for the return to Premier League action with a camp in Abu Dhabi.

Further behind are Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante, Ben Chilwell, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Ruben Loftus-Cheek as Chelsea’s treatment room looks for some welcome respite.

Read his comments in full here!

Chelsea FC transfer news: £78m Josko Gvardiol battle, Kingsley Coman latest, Joao Felix price tag revealed

11:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

Graham Potter is expected to be backed in the January transfer window despite a stuttering start to life at Chelsea.

Co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have already spent big on overhauling the squad, undertaking a record-breaking summer in the transfer market, though will continue to make money available for further reinforcement.

While the winter market is a notoriously arduous one, Potter will push for new additions as he bids to stamp his authority on the squad.

With that in mind, here are some of the latest January transfer rumours.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

11:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

Chelsea have only lost two of their 16 competitive meetings in the past decade, winning 13.

Aston Villa wins: 58

Draws: 35

Chelsea wins: 68

Prediction: Villa to win

11:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

With more minutes under their belts from the games with Brighton and Cardiff in the days leading up to the game, Villa may have the edge in this one.

A 1-0 Villa win.

Chelsea team news: Fofana not fit

11:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

Chelsea’s squad is also shorn of players who have played in Qatar, including Edouard Mendy, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Thiago Silva.

Manager Potter confirmed ahead of the game that Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante and Wesley Fofana remain unavailable. Reece James may play some role as he nears a return from a knee injury.

Aston Villa team news: Coutinho and Carlos out

11:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

Philippe Coutinho and Diego Carlos are the headline absentees for Emery’s side, due to injury.

Villa named a strong XI to face Brighton on Thursday and are only missing Matty Cash and Emi Martinez due to World Cup commitments.

Where to watch Aston Villa vs Chelsea

11:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel: The match is expected to be broadcast by both the Aston Villa and Chelsea club media.

Live stream: Subscribers can pay to access the game via the clubs’ app or website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.

Welcome

11:34 , Jonathan Gorrie

Good morning and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea’s friendly with Aston Villa today.

Kick-off inside Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi is at 2.10pm GMT.