Chelsea Football Club have announced they will conduct a full investigation following allegations that a plastic bottle was thrown towards the Aston Villa dugout at the conclusion of a fiery Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Tensions Boil Over at Full-Time
The incident occurred immediately after the final whistle of Saturday's match, which saw third-place Aston Villa come from behind to secure a 2-1 victory. The win marks Villa's impressive 11th consecutive victory across all competitions. According to reports, the missile was hurled towards the Villa bench, showering substitutes and staff members with water.
Witnesses suggested the object originated from the vicinity of the Chelsea technical area, though this has not been officially confirmed. Chelsea, who fell to a fifth-place league position with the loss, have pledged to cooperate fully with Aston Villa and the relevant authorities. It is expected that CCTV footage from Stamford Bridge will be reviewed as part of the inquiry to identify the individual responsible.
Maresca Absent as Watkins Inspires Villa Fightback
The match itself was a significant chapter in this season's gripping title race. Chelsea took a deserved lead through Joao Pedro late in the first half, but Villa's super-sub Ollie Watkins turned the game on its head with a second-half brace. The result keeps Unai Emery's side within three points of league leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca missed the dramatic finale from the touchline, serving a one-match ban in the stands after accumulating five yellow cards. He will return for the Blues' next fixture against Bournemouth.
Emery Plays Down Title Talk Ahead of Arsenal Return
In his post-match press conference, Villa boss Unai Emery did not directly address the bottle-throwing controversy, instead focusing on his team's performance. The Spaniard continued to temper expectations about a potential title challenge, despite his team's remarkable form.
"Not really," Emery replied when asked if Villa could lift the trophy. "I am feeling that we are competing for Europe, not competing in the league with Manchester City and Arsenal. We have played 18 matches and have 20 to play. Teams like Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United – we must compete with them."
Emery now prepares for a highly anticipated return to his former club, league leaders Arsenal, at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. He acknowledged the difficulty of the task, stating: "The next challenge is the biggest challenge we will face because they are the best team now in the Premier League and Champions League."
