Things go from bad to worse for Chelsea! Captain Reece James hit with FA charge for confronting official after Aston Villa defeat - despite being out injured

The full-back was out injured for Sunday's match at Stamford Bridge, which his side lost 1-0, but confronted an official in the tunnel after the final whistle. The FA has opted to charge him for allegedly directing "improper and/or insulting and/or abusive words" to the official.

James, 23, was not part of the Chelsea squad that lost to Villa at the weekend. The England international has been out of action since sustaining a hamstring injury following his team's opening Premier League match of the season against Liverpool.

However, he attended the match and took it on himself to remonstrate with the official after the game, ending up with a possible suspension as a result.

A statement read: "Reece James has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 following Chelsea’s Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday, 24 September. It’s alleged that the defender used improper and/or insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official in the tunnel after the game. Reece James has until Friday, 29 September, to provide a response to this charge."

The right-back will hope to recover from his injury quickly but will first have to offer a response to the FA before a decision on a possible punishment is decided.