Chelsea is drawing scrutiny as the Premier League investigates an unsavory event that took place right after their 1-2 loss to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
According to sources from England, disputes erupted at the moment the final whistle sounded during the match between Chelsea and Aston Villa. Aston Villa’s management has officially filed a complaint, claiming that a plastic bottle was thrown towards the away team’s bench while players and coaching staff were celebrating their victory.
Reports indicate that security cameras at Stamford Bridge captured footage of a water bottle being thrown at Aston Villa’s bench, splashing several players and coaching staff.
A member of the visiting team’s coaching staff stated they have identified the direction from which the bottle was thrown, although no definitive conclusion has been made about whether it originated from Chelsea’s bench area or the stands.
In response to Aston Villa’s claims, Chelsea promptly expressed a cooperative stance. The London club confirmed their willingness to work with the Premier League and relevant parties to pinpoint those responsible for the incident. Surveillance footage is expected to play a crucial role in the investigation.
The incident happened amid a disappointing match for Chelsea. Despite creating numerous chances, the home side lost 1-2 after Aston Villa’s remarkable comeback.
Two goals from Ollie Watkins helped the visitors maintain their excellent form and extend their winning streak to 11 matches across all competitions. Specifically, in the Premier League, Aston Villa has won 8 consecutive games, continuing to keep pace with the league leaders.
In contrast to their opponent’s momentum, Chelsea continued to show issues in controlling the game. This is not the first time the Blues have dropped points at home this season. Statistics reveal Chelsea have lost 11 points in matches where they previously held the lead, a stark contrast to Aston Villa’s 18 points gained from games where they were behind.
Coach Enzo Maresca, who watched the game from the stands due to a coaching ban, admitted Chelsea failed to maintain control in the second half. He also confirmed some squad problems, including Marc Cucurella suffering a hamstring injury and having to leave the field. Nevertheless, Maresca defended Cole Palmer’s frustrated reaction upon being substituted, describing it as a normal response from a player exerting high effort.
On Aston Villa’s side, coach Unai Emery declined to comment extensively on the title race, emphasizing the team’s focus on one game at a time. However, the victory at Stamford Bridge not only narrowed the gap with Arsenal but also indirectly pushed Chelsea down to fifth place in the standings.
Currently, the Premier League is gathering more information before making a final decision. Regardless of the investigation’s outcome, this incident has clearly cast a shadow over an already intense match and placed Chelsea in a difficult position both on and off the pitch.
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