Aston Villa have submitted an official complaint to the Premier League following an alarming incident during their dramatic 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Villa Park on Saturday, 27 December 2025. The club confirmed that a plastic bottle was thrown from the stands towards their technical area, narrowly missing manager Unai Emery and his coaching staff.
Incident Mars Tense Premier League Encounter
The object was launched during a highly charged second half of the Premier League fixture, which eventually finished with both sides sharing the points. While no one was struck or injured, the act of throwing any missile onto the pitch or into the dugout area is considered a serious offence under Premier League regulations and general ground safety rules.
A club spokesperson for Aston Villa stated: "We can confirm an object was thrown towards the home technical area during the second half of today's match. The matter has been reported to the Premier League match delegate and is now under investigation." The incident adds an unsavoury note to what was already a fiercely contested match between two sides with European ambitions.
League Investigation Underway
The Premier League has acknowledged the complaint and is now conducting a standard review. Officials will examine CCTV footage from Villa Park to identify the individual responsible. Such behaviour typically results in a stadium ban for the perpetrator and can lead to further sanctions against the club if it is found that sufficient measures were not in place to prevent it.
Chelsea, as the visiting team, are expected to cooperate fully with the investigation. A spokesperson for the West London club said they "condemn all forms of anti-social behaviour at football grounds" and would assist authorities in their enquiries. The match itself saw Chelsea fight back from two goals down, with Conor Gallagher scoring a 96th-minute equaliser, sparking wild celebrations in the away end.
Emery and Maresca Focus on Football
Both managers addressed the media after the game, with their primary focus being the thrilling nature of the 2-2 draw. Unai Emery, the Aston Villa boss, did not dwell on the bottle incident publicly, preferring to discuss his team's performance. Chelsea's head coach, Enzo Maresca, also concentrated on the football, praising his team's resilience to snatch a late point.
However, the formal complaint ensures the matter will not be quietly forgotten. The safety of players, staff, and officials in the technical area is paramount, and the league has taken a firm stance on similar incidents in the past. This event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges clubs face in maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all within stadiums.
The investigation's findings could be published before the teams meet again in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge later in the season. For now, the focus returns to the pitch, but with a shadow cast by an act of needless aggression.
