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Reece James is charged by the FA after allegedly confronting the referee after Chelsea's defeat to Aston Villa despite the Blues captain missing the game through injury

Chelsea captain Reece James has been charged by the Football Association after allegedly confronting the referee following the Blues' defeat to Aston Villa.

The England full-back missed Sunday's game through injury and watched on as Chelsea's poor start to the season continued with a 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge.

The hosts had Malo Gusto sent off after his booking for a challenge on Lucas Digne was upgraded to a red card following a VAR review and James has now been charged with confronting referee Jarred Gillett.

'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,' the FA announced in a statement on Wednesday.