Aston Villa vs Derby: Why Chelsea will have a significant influence on Championship play-off final

Aston Villa vs Derby: Why Chelsea will have a significant influence on Championship play-off final
Chelsea fans could get a glimpse of the future when Aston Villa and Derby meet at Wembley for the Championship play-off final on Monday – live on talkSPORT.The two clubs go head-to-head for promotion to the Premier League – and whoever wins will owe a small debt to the Blues.GETTY5

Abraham was the second highest scorer in the Championship this season

Both Villa and the Rams have been grateful recipients of Chelsea’s loan army.At Villa, Tammy Abraham has been a revelation – scoring 26 league goals despite missing the first seven games of the season.The 21-year-old striker led from the front as Villa went on a run of ten consecutive wins to qualify for the play-offs. He then stepped up for two crucial penalties during the semi-final victory over West Brom, scoring from the spot at Villa Park before converting the decisive kick in the shootout at the Hawthorns.With Chelsea’s ongoing woes up front and their well-documented transfer ban, eyes will be fixed on Abraham when he graces the Wembley turf.But fans will be more interested in Derby, who could line up with two Chelsea loanees and a Blues legend, under a potential future manager at Stamford Bridge.GETTY5

Mount received his first senior England call-up earlier this season

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Tomori is another bright England youth star

Fiyako Tomori and Mason Mount have been integral members of the Rams’ squad this season.Defender Tomori, 21, was named the club’s Player of the Year, while Mount, 20, has scored 11 goals in all competitions from midfield.Mount’s most crucial strike came in the thrilling semi-final victory over Leeds, with the England youth international rounding off a superb move to level things up and shift the tide in the Rams’ favour.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• England Women vs Denmark Women (Saturday, 1pm) – talkSPORT
• Newport County vs Tranmere (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT
• Charlton vs Sunderland (Sunday, 3pm) – talkSPORT
• Aston Villa vs Derby County (Monday, 3pm) – talkSPORT

And, perhaps most importantly, the play-off final could see Rams boss Frank Lampard audition for the Chelsea job.Reports continue to link the Blues’ record goalscorer to the Stamford Bridge hot seat following an impressive debut season in management.Another man with ambitions to manage Chelsea one day will sit in the opposite dugout – Lampard’s partner in crime John Terry.GETTY5

Frank Lampard is constantly linked with the Chelsea job

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John Terry’s influence at Villa should not be understated

The legendary Blues captain is one of Dean Smith’s assistants at Villa.And just in case Chelsea fans were suddenly feeling incredibly old, a 38-year-old Ashley Cole could feature at left-back for Derby.

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