Chelsea and Aston Villa's Premier League game on December 27 was marred by an ill-tempered clash and, after investigating CCTV footage, the FA have charged the Blues over the incident
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Danny Walker and Willy Caballero coaching staff of Chelsea look on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on December 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Chelsea have been punished for their behaviour(Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
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Chelsea have been charged by the FA over failing to control their players and coaching staff following last month's fiery 2-1 loss against Aston Villa. A plastic bottle was allegedly thrown towards the Villa bench shortly after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge.
Unai Emery's side came from behind to take home all three points, with Ollie Watkins scoring twice in the second half after Joao Pedro had put the home side 1-0 up. It proved to be Enzo Maresca's penultimate game in charge of Chelsea, as he was sacked on New Year's Day.
A total of eight yellow cards were handed out, including one for Villa set-piece Austin MacPhee. But it was the bottle that caused the most controversy, as tempers flared on the touchline.
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."
Meanwhile, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has concluded that Villa coach MacPhee should have been shown a red card when he was booked. The away team were leading in the sixth minute of stoppage time when the ball went out of play close to the dugout area.
As a Chelsea got ready to take a throw-in, MacPhee rolled another ball onto the pitch to delay the restart, angering the hosts. Fourth official Tim Robinson advised referee Stuart Attwell that MacPhee should be booked, but the panel unanimously voted that MacPhee should have been sent off.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Austin MacPhee, coach of Aston Villa looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Aston Villa FC at Etihad Stadium on April 22, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Austin MacPhee should've seen red, a panel has concluded(Image: Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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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.
The trio are assistant Justin Walker, first-team coach Kalifa Cisse and analyst Ben Warner. Also part of Rosenior's team will be goalkeeper coach Ben Roberts and set piece coach Bernardo Cueva.
COBHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 9: Head Coach Liam Rosenior of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on January 9, 2026 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Liam Rosenior is Chelsea's new head coach(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Calum McFarlane, who took charge of last weekend's 1-1 draw with Manchester City and the 2-1 loss at Fulham on Wednesday, will remain part of the first-team coaching staff. Rosenior's first game in charge is on Saturday, as Chelsea make the short journey to Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round.
"I am looking forward to it. I can't wait for tomorrow night. I couldn't wait to get here," the former Hull City boss said at his first press conference on Friday.
"The players and staff have been nothing but supportive and I have been made to feel at home. If you are scared or fearful, there is no point being a coach. I am going to work 24 hours a day. I am intense in how I work and I am going to push the players to try and be successful."
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