Chelsea thrash QPR ahead of Premier League return against Aston Villa

Frank Lampard’s team achieved a comprehensive 7-1 victory one week before they travel to Villa Park

Billy Gilmour was one of the Blues' standout players in the friendly (Getty Images)

Chelsea warmed up ahead of the Premier League restart with a resounding 7-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers in a friendly on Sunday.

Midfielders Ruben Loftus-Cheek and 19-year-old Billy Gilmour both struck twice, with Mason Mount, Olivier Giroud and Willian also scoring to give Frank Lampard’s team some useful momentum ahead of the top flight’s return.

Also of note was the appearance of N’Golo Kante, who returned to full-contact training last week after initial concerns over safety due to the coronavirus pandemic. The France international was in the starting line-up against QPR.

In their previous outing, the Blues defeated another Championship side in Reading, with Pedro netting the only goal of the game.

Lampard’s Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League with 10 games remaining, and their first match back when the season resumes this week will see them take on 19th-placed Aston Villa.

That match will kick off at 4.15pm BST on Sunday 21 June.

Thereafter, Chelsea take on second-placed Manchester City and Leicester before the end of June.

They will also have to take on league leaders Liverpool, who they eliminated from the FA Cup earlier this year, before the season is up.