Liam Rosenior has explained tonight’s changes to his starting XI, including the switch in goal and the inclusion of Alejandro Garnacho from the off.
It’s fourth versus sixth at Villa Park tonight, with the Blues looking to close the gap to the top four with a positive result against Aston Villa, and our head coach has made changes between the sticks and on the wing.
Rosenior explained pre-match how he treats his goalkeeping unit, highlighting the importance of healthy competition between the likes of Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen - the latter making his second Premier League start of the campaign tonight against Villa.
‘The way I work with goalkeepers – I don’t have an outright number one,’ Liam opened.
‘I want competition in every area, and Filip has been waiting very patiently for his chance and I’ve given it to him this evening. Filip has been very good in training.’
With the enforced absence of Pedro Neto due to suspension, Garnacho has been handed his first start since our 3-2 win over West Ham United at the end of January.
Rosenior knows the quality the 21-year-old possesses and is excited to see him make his mark at Villa Park tonight.
‘Alejandro is a very good player,’ Rosenior continued. ‘He played a lot of games before I came in, and he’s played fewer games maybe due to tactical reasons, but this is a really good game for him to play.
‘He can affect the game in his way, with the way he attacks. We think he can be a real outlet for us, and he just has to go and enjoy himself, because that’s when he’s at his best.’