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Aston Villa won’t have to worry about Diego Costa as the striker will miss Chelsea’s trip to Villa Park after being banned for stamping.

The Premier League’s leading goalscorer, who notched the second in a 3-0 defeat for Villa at Chelsea in September, has been banned for three matches after being found guilty of violent conduct.

The Football Association has announced that an independent regulatory commission ruled that Costa deliberately stamped on the ankle of Liverpool’s Emre Can in Tuesday night’s Capital One Cup semi-final second leg.

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Costa and Chelsea have no right to appeal, with Costa ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester City, as well as matches with Aston Villa on Saturday, February 7, and Everton.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claimed the incident, which occurred in front of the dugouts but was missed by the match officials, was “absolutely accidental”.

It was subsequently reviewed on video by referee Michael Oliver, with the charge following on Wednesday as part of the FA’s fast-tracked procedures.

Costa contested the charge on Thursday, but on Friday was found guilty and immediately banned.

Look: Villa lose at Chelsea