Malo Gusto replaced the Chelsea left-back with 20 minutes remaining of our clash at Stamford Bridge, which ended in disappointment after Ollie Watkins netted a late header to seal a 2-1 victory for the visitors.

Maresca was asked in his post-match press conference as to why Cucurella was replaced as part of a triple change and the Blues head coach explained it was an enforced alteration.

‘He was complaining about a feeling in his hamstring,' Maresca explained. 'We don’t know if it injury or not, so he asked for the change.’

For more than an hour of this evening’s contest, the Blues were the better side. We fashioned several opportunities in addition to Joao Pedro’s opening goal, which arrived seven minutes before half time.

However, Watkins’ equaliser swung momentum in Villa’s favour and the Blues were unable to wrestle back control in the contest. That is something Maresca accepts his side must improve upon in the weeks and months ahead.

'The goal we conceded was the turning point,' he said. 'Until we conceded that goal, for one hour of the game, we were in complete control.

'But it [the reaction to conceding] isn’t the first time it’s happened. Even if we are winning and concede a goal, we struggle a little with the management of the game. It’s something we need to improve.'

Maresca added: ‘It’s difficult to analyse because we need to understand why, when we concede a goal, we struggle to manage the game in a better way.

'It can be experience, or it can be something else, but we need to analyse and understand that.’