“This is the reason” – Enzo Maresca reveals why he’s banned from Chelsea’s game vs Aston Villa | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has explained why he got booked against Newcastle, a move which sees him banned from the touchline against Aston Villa next weekend.

Chelsea fought back from a dreadful first half performance which saw them 2-0 down thanks to a Nick Woltemade brace to earn a point.

Whatever was said at half time made the difference as Chelsea came out looking a different team, as Reece James began the comeback with a brilliant free kick, before Joao Pedro fired home the equaliser.

Enzo Maresca explains his booking against Newcastle

As expected Maresca made a number of changes from the side which beat Cardiff in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

However, the Blues once again started the game poorly and turned in a dreadful first half performance, with a number of players losing their cool.

Maresca was frustrated with Chelsea’s first half performance. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Pat Nevin feels Chelsea played like “under-11s” at one point when they moaned about the ball not being put out when Cole Palmer was down.

Maresca himself lost his cool on the bench as he picked up a booking, and speaking after the game he explained why he’d be shown a yellow card.

“It is better if… I was complaining just because the same foul was a yellow card for us and they did exactly the same foul three times,” he told his post match press conference.

“Make a foul from behind and no yellow card.

“So I was just complaining why the same foul, one is yellow card and the other one is no yellow card.

“So this is the reason why I complained with the referee.”

Willy Caballero likely to take charge against Aston Villa

With Maresca set to be in the stands against Villa, it’s likely his assistant Willy Caballero will be the man on the touchline.

More Stories / Latest News

“This is the reason” – Enzo Maresca reveals why he’s banned from Chelsea’s game vs Aston Villa

21st Dec 2025, 04:00pm

Report: Chelsea amongst European heavyweights interested in €40m rated ace

21st Dec 2025, 01:30pm

Report: Chelsea to battle Liverpool, Man United and Arsenal for €60m rated French star

21st Dec 2025, 01:00pm

Caballero appeared on the touchline earlier this season in a 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest, a game Maresca was also banned from the touchline for.

Maresca will still have a huge influence on the game and will be in constant communication with Caballero so it shouldn’t make a huge difference.