Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sat 27 December 2025 20:30, UK

Benoit Badiashile faced the wrath of the Chelsea fans after a terrible moment in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

Enzo Maresca has faced uncertainty over his defenders this season following Levi Colwill’s anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Frenchman was chosen to start against Villa, and gave away the ball poorly in the build-up to Ollie Watkins‘ equaliser, with the striker later finding the winner with a header.

Tosin Adarabioyo has faced massive criticism this season, too, with Chelsea‘s defensive problems continuing to curtail any hopes of a title challenge.

Even the mainstay in the centre of the defence, Trevor Chalobah, has struggled to produce consistent performances.

Chelsea fans rip into Benoit Badiashile

Villa did not even have a shot in what was a dominant first half from Chelsea. The Blues might have been wondering how they were just one goal ahead at the break.

But they did have the advantage, and it came via Joao Pedro when Reece James‘ corner went through a sea of bodies before hitting the striker on the leg and deflecting in.

Just a one-goal lead is precarious, however, and Villa showed exactly why when they equalised through Watkins.

Badiashile was under no pressure at the back but hit a wayward ball towards the centre of the pitch, which Amadou Onana easily intercepted.

The Belgian laid off to Boubacar Kamara, who found Morgan Rogers, with the England international then playing a ball through to Watkins for the equaliser.

Chelsea fans were raging at the centre-back, who one fan called “pathetic” after his mistake.

Another begged Badiashile to “leave my club” with others following suit and dubbing him “one of the worst defenders we’ve ever employed”.

One X user described the “terrible” pass as a “bozo moment”, which was “totally unacceptable and unnecessary”.

Chelsea have serious issues at the back

As one Chelsea fan pointed out, Tosin, Badiashile and Chalobah have all flattered to deceive for the Blues this season.

The loss of Colwill has left Maresca in a serious bind when it comes to the centre of his defence, but decisions made above him have had dramatic consequences, too.

Chelsea spent almost £300million in the summer, but they did not bring in single centre-back over the age of 19.

Mamadou Sarr was signed from Strasbourg and loaned back to them, while Jorrel Hato, who was unavailable through injury on Saturday, is yet to find his feet in the Premier League.

And that is not to mention Wesley Fofana, who, while performing well this season, was named on the bench against Villa.

Maresca will take the brunt of the criticism for Chelsea’s latest defeat, but the head coach has been left in the lurch by those above him.