What Graham Potter said ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash vs Aston Villa

Graham Potter addressed the media ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

Chelsea have built momentum under Graham Potter since his arrival last month which has seen Chelsea remain undefeated in the 47-year-old’s opening five games. 

It started out with a draw to RB Salzburg but wins against Crystal Palace, Wolves and two emphatic victories over AC Milan have followed. They have also kept three clean sheets in a row, highlighting the positive impact Potter has had on confidence and results. 

After turning their European fortunes around and going top of Group E in the Champions League on Wednesday night with a 2-0 win at the San Siro against AC Milan, Chelsea are back in domestic action this weekend. 

The Chelsea players celebrate Jorginho's opener at the San Siro against AC Milan. (Alamy)

Potter’s side head to Villa Park to face a struggling Aston Villa side who are under pressure to get results as uncertainty clouds over the future of boss Steven Gerrard. 

Villa are down in 16th place having only won just one of their last five games in the Premier League. 

Chelsea will be keen to inflict more misery on Gerrard and Co to heap further pressure on the Englishman’s job in the Midlands. 

Here's what the Chelsea head coach had to say on Friday afternoon in his pre-match press conference:

Reece James

"He's due to see a specialist over the weekend. Until we get that information, there's not too much I can add. We will wait and see.

"I don't know, did he (fly with EasyJet back from Milan)?

"He spoke yesterday, he felt not too bad. Until you get these checked, you never know."

N'Golo Kante

"He's due to see a consultant at the weekend. It's a setback, it's not good news. I can't give you anymore.

"Historically, there are things that have happened which are a concern. It's a setback in the last stage of his rehab which is worrying. We have to try get him back to full fitness and enjoying his football."

Wesley Fofana

"I don't think we will see him before the World Cup."

Aston Villa

"The margins are very small in the Premier League. I'm sure Steven (Gerrard) will want to improve results. We need to make sure we are ready for that challenge."

Using squad

"We've had to use the group as wisely as possible. I've been really impressed. Few lads who haven't had game time because you can only field 11. I don't think we are at the maximum where the team is at... more to come from the team."

Chelsea job

"Really good (first few weeks). Players open, honest, responsible, ambitious, determined, want to do well. So far, so good.

"It's not straight-forward this job at any level, but we've managed it well so far.

"I'm not naive, there will be times when there is. I don't get carried away when it's too positive. It's [all] part of the job.

"From the outside, the results are good. You can always improve things. Results we've had, surreal start. Loads of things getting head round quickly. We are starting to build a nice relationship.

"I'm not in a position to predict what will happen at the end of the season. Our job is to go game-to-game. It sounds boring, but that's the reality for us."

Edouard Mendy

"He's been great, attitude fantastic, supporting the team. He was injured when I arrived, Kepa has played well. Situation now, we have competition. You need that to push each other along."

Players missing World Cup

"I don't want to comment on whether they are or not (going to miss World Cup). Of course, if anything happens like that, they're human beings, of course they'll be disappointed. Sometimes you can't avoid these things... it's then about dealing with the adversity."