Chelsea charged after Aston Villa incident as FA launch investigation

Chelsea have been charged after an incident in the game with Aston Villa (Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media)

Chelsea have been charged for their actions around the technical area following their match against Aston Villa.

The Blues are already investigating an incident after the full-time whistle where a plastic water bottle was thrown at the Aston Villa bench.

Following Stuart Attwell's final whistle, a bottle was aimed toward the Villa dugout which saw water splash onto the Midlands side's substitutes and staff . The Blues committed to cooperating with Villa and possibly the authorities to get to the bottom of the matter.

After being caught by liquid from the bottle, Villa's staff are said to have turned around in disgust. It was reported that they indicated that the object had been thrown from Chelsea's dugout.

Now, Chelsea face a charge from the FA and have until Monday to provide a response after it was alleged their personnel acted in an improper, provocative or abusive manner.

The FA said: "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.

Chelsea have been charged by the FA after an incident involving the Villa bench at Stamford Bridge (Image: (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images))

"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."

Villa lodged a formal complaint following the match, which they won 2-1 . Unai Emery's men came from behind as Ollie Watkins came off the bench to score a brace.

The meeting proved to be a feisty affair that saw Attwell dish out a total of eight yellow cards. Tempers were still high after the full-time whistle as Villa's win sparked jubilant celebrations from the visitors.

Ollie Watkins was the hero for Aston Villa against Chelsea (Image: Getty Images)

Chelsea had taken the lead through Joao Pedro when he flicked on Reece James ' corner in the opening half. The Blues were left to rue missed opportunities as Watkins levelled the match on 63 minutes.

The forward went on to score the winning goal with just six minutes of normal time remaining, as he bagged a fine header past Robert Sanchez .

Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was not in the dugout for the clash as he was forced to watch the game from the stands at Stamford Bridge, as he served his one-match touchline ban.

Chelsea, now led by Liam Rosenior , will face Charlton in the FA Cup this weekend before their deadline to respond to the FA arrives on Monday.