Enzo Maresca will serve a touchline suspension for Chelsea's next Premier League game against Aston Villa. The Blues boss picked up his third yellow card of the season in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United which means he will be forced to watch their next clash in the stands.

Chelsea came from two goals down to salvage a point at St. James Park with Reece James and Joao Pedro on target after a first-half brace from Nick Woltemade. It was quite the clash on Saturday lunchtime with four goals scored and nine players booked.

Maresca was also shown a yellow card by Andy Madley, with the referee determining he was a little overzealous in his complaints around the hour mark.

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Having been shown yellows against Liverpool and Manchester United, with a second caution shown against the former, Maresca now has to serve another touchline ban.

When asked why he was booked, Maresca said: "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.

"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."

In response to Eddie Howe stating his side should have won, Maresca said: "I think after the first half, they deserved to win the game for sure. From my point of view, after the second half, we deserved to win the game. So this is my point of view.

"I think after the second goal we scored, we had three or four clear chances to score one more. They also had one with Barnes, that is the only one that I remember as a real chance. But overall, I think the draw is correct."

Chelsea have a free midweek before Christmas as their next game is scheduled for Saturday, December 27 with Villa as the visitors to Stamford Bridge.

Just three days later, Bournemouth make the trip to west London before three consecutive away games for the Blues.

The first of those arrive in the new years and will be Premier League against Manchester City and Fulham with an FA Cup third round clash against Charlton arriving after that.

The point at Newcastle has left Maresca's side eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal with their participation in the title race now seemingly over.

Chelsea are two points clear of those chasing Champions League qualification.

Their European campaign will resume in late January with the defeat to Atalanta placing them in a precarious position to automatically qualify for the knockout stages.