Following the first international break of the 2024/25 season, our Under-18s have been intensively preparing to return to league action for the first time since the end of August. We will welcome Aston Villa to Cobham at 12pm, aiming to secure our first league victory of the campaign.

• Find out how to watch Chelsea Under-18s vs Aston Villa live for free

Hassan Sulaiman's side has faced a challenging start to the campaign, making this upcoming clash a crucial opportunity to showcase the improvements made and lessons learned from recent fixtures.

As this is the first Under-18s match since returning from the September international break, the head coach reflected on the period and how his coaching staff and squad made the most of the time.

'We have recently completed a thorough reflection, examining various aspects of our development,' Sulaiman began. 'The boys have responded positively and shown a great mindset in embracing this task.

'We've used this time to evaluate each player's progress individually and as a team, and to determine how we can build on this foundation.

'To sum up this period, I would describe it as educational. We have gained a clear understanding of the boys' development, both on and off the pitch. During the break, we strengthened our connections with the players and gained deeper insights into their characters.

'As we move through the season, our relationships will only continue to evolve. It's crucial that we understand each other well to keep growing as a close unit.

'One-on-one meetings with each player to discuss their recent performances have been very positive and effective. With this deeper understanding, I look forward to seeing noticeable progress and improvement on Saturday.'

With the majority of the Under-18s squad being first-year scholars, Sulaiman emphasised the importance of mentality, resilience and a continued mindset of wanting to learn and progress.

'We’ve had a number of conversations between the players and staff, reviewing clips to pinpoint areas for improvement, such as handling the ball under pressure or managing tight situations.

'Our focus has been on decision-making. It's all about understanding the various options available and choosing the best one. This is crucial both for individual decisions and for team play.

'I believe we've strengthened our bond as a team, which will positively impact our future performances. This period of in-depth coaching has been very beneficial for the boys.

'As I have said before, I have been really impressed with the mentality of the boys and how they have been willing to look back and reflect. They understand that to progress, you have to identify the weaknesses.'

With many players involved in the Under-17 Premier League Cup’s opening fixture against Arsenal on Tuesday evening, which ended in a goalless draw, Sulaiman highlighted the importance of recovery to ensure the team is ready for the weekend.

'We had a week off from fixtures, which allowed us to reset and refresh physically before heading into this busy week.

'A busy schedule is good because the boys enjoy playing matches. You learn the most on matchdays, where you can see the pace and intensity of the game and how the boys deal with those pressures.

'This week will be a challenge that gives them a taste of what senior-level football looks like, as it’s common to have weeks like this. A double-game week is right up the boys' street and I’m sure they’ll thrive on the busy schedule and intensity.'

Meanwhile, our Saturday opponents Aston Villa sit at the top of the league table, having won three of their four games so far. They come into this match following an impressive 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur before the break.

'We’re ready for the challenge against Aston Villa and excited for the game. This is an opportunity to address past issues and showcase our capabilities on the pitch.

'The boys now understand that the game can be tough and that challenges will come our way. I’m confident we’ll see how they respond and adapt to these situations.

'The team has been disappointed with our start to the season, but that disappointment will only fuel their ambition to go out and get a result. This game gives them a chance to showcase what we've built during the international break and the progress we've made so far this season.

'I want to see a side that puts in an endless amount of hard work from start to finish and is mentally ready to rise to the challenge every week.'

Watch the game live

Supporters anywhere in the world can watch the match for free via the live stream in the Chelsea Under-18s vs Aston Villa Match Centre on the official Chelsea website and app.