ChelseacouldbewithoutAndriy Shevchenkoafterhelimpedout of trainingon Tuesdayafternoonbut the big newsis that JohnTerry could be set to returnafter his CarlingCupconcussion and a half.
Villa were facing a long and arduous 90 minutes, and their situation was not helped when striker John Carew limped off with a groin injury before half-time, to be replaced by Maloney.
His list of injured defenders includes England internationals Gary Neville and Wes Brown, who both limped out of Saturday's game, plus longer-term defensive casualties Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Jonny Evans.