Chelsea and Aston Villa have released their line-ups for one of the Premier League’s Boxing Day fixtures despite Covid-19 problems.

Fan favourite and recently-named Scottish footballer of the year, John McGinn, is out today.

One can presume it is part of the Covid-19 protocols but we will try and confirm that as soon as possible.

The Villans will likely start in a 4-3-3 formation.

The Blues go into tonight with a stronger side than recent weeks as we see the return of Hudson-Odoi to the line up and Lukaku on the bench.

Chelsea will line up in a 3-4-3 formation with the ball, with wing backs joining the midfield.

Mendy stays in goal for the European champions, whilst there is a back three in front of him, consisting of young Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Rudiger.

Kante and Jorginho sit in the defensive midfield positions.

Reece James and Marcos Alonso are the wing-backs, looking to cause as much trouble for Villa as they have caused opposition teams this season.

Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi will line up either side of Pulisic in an attacking three.

16 Mendy; 3 Alonso, 14 Chalobah, 6 Thiago Silva, 2 Rudiger, 24 James; 7 Kante, 5 Jorginho; 19 Mount, 10 Pulisic, 20 Hudson-Odoi

1 Martinez; 2 Cash, 4 Konsa, 5 Mings, 3 Targett; 41 Ramsey, 6 Douglas Luiz, 8 Sanson; 10 Buendia, 11 Watkins; 20 Ings