Chelsea Charged By FA After Investigation Into Aston Villa Claims

Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association over failing to control their players and coaching staff following last month’s fiery 2-1 loss against Aston Villa.

Led by Enzo Maresca before he was sacked on New Year’s Day, Chelsea suffered a 2-1 defeat at home despite taking the lead before halftime.

Joao Pedro had put the London club 1-0 up but Ollie Watkins scored twice in the second half to give Aston Villa the win.

A total of eight yellow cards were handed out, including one for Villa set-piece Austin MacPhee. But it was a plastic bottle allegedly thrown towards the Villa bench shortly after the final whistle that caused the most controversies, as tempers flared on the touchline.

Ollie Watkins of celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Morgan Rogers during their Premier League match against Chelsea. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

Some of Villa’s coaching staff reacted with visible disgust after they were doused in water. It was then alleged that the bottle had come from Chelsea’s bench, although this hasn’t been confirmed.

However, the Football Association have now dished out a punishment. A statement read: “Chelsea FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 following the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa FC on Saturday 27 December 2025.

“It’s alleged that the club failed to ensure its players and/or other relevant personnel positioned around the technical area after the final whistle did not behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or abusive way. Chelsea FC has until Monday 12 January 2026 to provide a response.”

Chelsea’s coaching setup has changed drastically since the Premier League clash. Alongside Maresca, assistants Willy Caballero and Roberto Vitiello have also left.

They were joined in departing by first-team coach Danny Walker, goalkeeper coach Michele De Bernardin, fitness coach Marcos Alvarez and analyst Javier Molina Caballero.

Liam Rosenior has been appointed as the Blues’ new head coach, bringing three coaches with him from Chelsea’s sister club, Strasbourg.