Chelsea have had their fair amount of gripes with officials this season, but have actually had a number of key decisions go their way so far.
Trevoh Chalobah escaped giving away a penalty against Newcastle, despite many believing that he should have been penalised by the referee in their 2-2 draw.
Discipline has been a real issue for Chelsea this season though, with Enzo Maresca hardly setting the perfect example from the technical area.
Maresca is suspended for the Blues’ upcoming game against Aston Villa, and the Premier League have announced who will be tasked with taking charge of the match between two of the top four.
Brentford v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Stewart Attwell appointed referee for Chelsea vs Aston Villa
As per an announcement on the official Premier League website, Stewart Attwell will officiate the game on December 27.
Constantine Hatzidakis and Adam Nunn will be the linesmen for the game, while the responsibility of VAR will fall to Paul Howard.
Chelsea have a poor record in games officiated by Attwell, winning just seven of the 26 games he has been in charge of.
Kalidou Koulibaly is the only Chelsea player to be sent off by the Englishman, towards the end of a 3-0 defeat against Leeds United.
Brentford star Fabio Carvalho celebrating goal against Chelsea
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Attwell’s controversial decision against Chelsea earlier this season
Attwell was last in charge of Chelsea during their 2-2 draw with Brentford earlier this season, where the Blues would have gone top of the league with a win.
They ended up conceding late from a long throw-in, however there were complaints from the Blues that the offside flagged had not ruled it out.
Mark Clattenburg believed it was a ‘major error’ for the goal not to be disallowed, and Maresca was forced to settle for a point in the West London derby.
Chelsea will be hoping there is no reason for the referee to be the centre of attention on Saturday, as the Blues look to close the gap on the top three.
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