The Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa on December 27 was marred by an embarrassing collision, and the FA have charged the Blues over the incident after reviewing CCTV footage.
Chelsea were punished for their actions (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Chelsea were accused by the FA of failing to control their players and coaching staff following their 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa last month. A plastic bottle was allegedly thrown at the Villa bench shortly after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge.
Unai Emery’s side took all three points after Joao Pedro gave the hosts a 1-0 lead, with Ollie Watkins scoring twice in the second half. This was Enzo Maresca’s penultimate game in charge of Chelsea, having been sacked on New Year’s Day.
A total of eight yellow cards were handed out, including one for Villa set-piece Austin McPhee. But it was the bottle that caused the most controversy as anger erupted on the touchline.
Some members of Villa’s coaching staff reacted in obvious disgust after being doused with water. It has since been suggested that the bottle may have come from the Chelsea bench, but this has not been confirmed.
However, the Football Association has now issued a disciplinary action. A statement read: “Chelsea FC has been charged with a breach of FA Regulation E20.1 following the Premier League match against Aston Villa FC on Saturday 27 December 2025.
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“The club is said to have failed to ensure that players and other personnel stationed around the technical area did not behave in an inappropriate, provocative or abusive manner after the final whistle. Chelsea FC must respond by Monday 12 January 2026.”
Meanwhile, the Premier League’s Major Match Incidents Committee concluded that Villa manager McPhee should have been shown a red card when he was booked. Six minutes into stoppage time in the second half, when the away team was leading, the ball went out of play near the dugout area.
As Chelsea were preparing for a throw-in, McPhee rolled another ball onto the pitch to delay the restart, angering the hosts. Fourth referee Tim Robinson advised referee Stuart Attwell that McPhee should be sent off, but the committee unanimously voted that McPhee should have been sent off.
Austin McPhee was supposed to see red, panel ended (Image: Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Chelsea’s coaching structure has changed significantly since the Premier League game. In addition to Maresca, assistants Willy Caballero and Roberto Vitiello also left.
First team coach Danny Walker, goalkeeping coach Michele de Bernardin, fitness coach Marcos Alvarez and analyst Javier Molina Caballero also joined the departure. Liam Rosenior has been appointed as the Blues’ new head coach, accompanied by three coaches from Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg.
The trio is assistant Justin Walker, first-team coach Khalifa Cisse and analyst Ben Warner. Goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva will also be added to Rosenior’s squad.
Can Liam Rosenier lead Chelsea to the top four? Let us know your predictions in the comments section.
Liam Rosenior appointed as Chelsea’s new head coach (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Callum MacFarlane, who took charge in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City and Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at Fulham, will remain part of the first-team coaching staff. Rossenyol’s first game in charge will be on Saturday, when Chelsea face Charlton Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup.
“I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait for tomorrow night. I couldn’t wait to get here,” the former Hull City manager said at his first press conference on Friday.
“The players and staff have been very supportive and I feel at ease. There’s no point being a coach if you’re scared and afraid. I’m going to work 24 hours a day. I’m passionate about the way I work and I’m going to push my players to be successful.”
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