Diego Costa hit with extra ban
Striker Diego Costa was already banned for Chelsea's game at Aston Villa and now he has been hit with an extra suspension after admitting a charge of improper conduct following his dismissal at Everton last month.
The striker was sent off for the first time in his Chelsea career in the FA Cup quarter-final loss at Goodison Park and given an automatic two-match ban, ruling him out of the draw with West Ham and Saturday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
Now Costa will also miss the April 9 match at Swansea after being fined, banned and warned over his future conduct after admitting the charge relating to his behaviour after he was shown a second yellow card against Everton.
With Costa suspended, Eden Hazard (groin/hip) injured and Oscar, Willian and Bertrand Traore only rejoining Chelsea on Friday following international duty, Alexandre Pato could make his long-awaited debut in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off at Villa Park.
"We now have eight games coming up, and there's not much to win for Chelsea any more. There might be some time for experiments," admitted interim manager Guus Hiddink.
The Dutchman refused to be drawn on the prospect of John Terry making an unlikely England return in time for this summer's European Championship.
The 35-year-old Chelsea captain recently spoke to England boss Roy Hodgson, who on Tuesday night admitted to a lack of defensive options following the friendly loss to Holland and ahead of Euro 2016.
"I think it's a bit over-valued," Hiddink said.
"Whether they had a conversation, yes or no... but there was no issue for either of them.
"We didn't talk about that (an England return). What I know (is) he likes to play football.
"John is doing his job for Chelsea and decided already one or two or three years ago not to be available any more for England."
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while on duty with Belgium, refused to give any assurances that he would stay at a team that will be absent from the Champions League and, as yet, still has no permanent manager. Italy boss Antonio Conte has been heavily linked to the vacancy created since Jose Mourinho's sacking in December.
Hiddink has not read Courtois' comments, but claims they may have been misinterpreted.
He said: "Formally, he's under contract. What I know from him, and his family, (is) he likes to be in London at the club. It's difficult to react on what has been said or has been translated or mis-translated.
"I'd like to talk to him. But I don't want to overvalue it (his comments)."
Gabriel Agbonlahor will not feature against Chelsea as managerless Aston Villa carry out an investigation into the striker's conduct.
The 29-year-old academy product has only made 15 Premier League appearances for the bottom club this season, and his future at Villa Park looks bleaker after Friday's announcement.
A tweet from Villa announced that Agbonlahor, who was pictured apparently smoking a shisha pipe during a recent holiday in Dubai, would not be involved while an internal investigation into his behaviour is carried out.
Caretaker manager Eric Black, in charge after Remi Garde left on Tuesday, said: "I spoke to (board member) David Bernstein at length (on Thursday) and the club have taken a decision. I have taken a decision on the footballing side to remove him from the squad, purely because I don't want anything to distract the players.
"I'll speak to him again on Monday and then we'll take it from there."
Club captain Agbonlahor was pictured with Micah Richards, but the defender will be included against Chelsea.
Black added: "I have spoken to Micah. It's slightly different circumstances and he's in the squad."
Agbonlahor, Villa's longest-serving current player, signed a four-year contract in 2014 but has scored just once this season with Villa 12 points from safety. They appear set to be relegated from the top flight for the first time since 1987.
Adama Traore (foot) and Jack Grealish (ankle) could return to fill the void left by Agbonlahor, but Libor Kozak (ankle) and Jordan Amavi (knee) are out.
Source: PAR
