Maresca Faces Scrutiny Over Team Discipline Ahead of Villa Clash

Enzo Maresca received his latest yellow card during Chelsea’s recent loss to Newcastle, following an angry protest against a refereeing decision. This marked his fifth caution of the Premier League season, raising concerns that the 45-year-old is not exemplifying the discipline expected from a squad already noted for emotional outbursts.

Midfield anchor Moises Caicedo was cautioned for sarcastically applauding an official, while goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was booked after charging from his area to challenge a referee’s decision. These incidents, alongside Maresca’s own behavior on the touchline, have prompted discussions about whether indiscipline is becoming a cultural issue at Stamford Bridge.

On Wednesday, Maresca was presented with commentary suggesting his team reflects his conduct. While specifics on the clips or articles shared remain unclear, the topic has been a subject of active discussion among supporters, including a notable fan podcast earlier in the week. To provide context, Chelsea has accumulated 37 yellow cards this season, with 26 issued for fouls and 11 for offenses categorized as avoidable, such as dissent. This tally does not include the five cautions Maresca has received himself, two of which were against Liverpool, including one for his exuberant celebration after a stoppage-time winner, with the remainder coming from matches against Newcastle, Burnley, and Manchester United.

Rather than distancing himself from these claims, Maresca embraced them during a press conference. When asked about the need for improved discipline ahead of the upcoming match against Aston Villa, he responded with unwavering conviction.

“Listen, the club this morning showed me a comment from some of you that said the team reflects the manager, and I’m very proud of that. Because of how the team is performing. The youngest squad in the Premier League should be allowed to make some mistakes as they grow. Yes, we have yellow cards and some red cards, but I prefer to analyze different situations. Of course, it’s an area in which we can improve.”

With Maresca assigned to the press box, assistant coach Willy Caballero is expected to lead Chelsea from the dugout against a strong Aston Villa side.

In terms of team news, there is mixed encouragement. Jamie Gittens is set to return to the squad after missing the trip to Newcastle due to a shoulder issue, while defender Jorrel Hato will be unavailable because of a new injury. Conversely, Estevao and Liam Delap are both available for the clash against Villa.

“Estevao is back and available for Saturday,” Maresca confirmed at a pre-match press conference. “Estevao and also Liam Delap. We were uncertain about how long Liam would be out, but he is back now, and we are pleased to have both available.”

Cole Palmer is also expected to be fit for the full match, having recovered from groin and toe injuries.

“I believe Cole is ready to play 90 minutes, yes,” Maresca added. “He played for an hour against Everton and over 70 minutes against Newcastle. His progression has been positive, and I think he can manage a full match now.

“It will be a challenging game for us, and we need to be at our best because Aston Villa are in excellent form. They have a clear playing style and are well-organized both on and off the ball.

“They are filled with confidence at the moment, but we are playing at home and will strive to secure the three points as we always do. We will work hard and continue to improve.”

Aston Villa arrives with a remarkable 10-match winning streak, their longest since 1914, having last lost to Liverpool on November 1. Under Unai Emery, Villa has achieved victories over Arsenal and Manchester United in the league, as well as dominating European fixtures against Young Boys and Basel. This impressive run has positioned Villa third in the Premier League, just three points shy of leaders Arsenal and seven points clear of Chelsea. In the Europa League, they also sit third, level on points with Lyon and FC Midtjylland. Such form presents a significant challenge for Chelsea, particularly with their head coach absent from the touchline to manage the emotional dynamics he typically embraces.