Jose Mourinho has refused to react to Manuel Pellegrini's jibe that the league leaders played like a "small team" in their 1-1 draw at Eastlands last week, instead suggesting that the Manchester City manager should stop reneging on his promise to not criticise referees.
- Pellegrini: Chelsea used "small team" tactics
- Mourinho blasts "Mr Pellegrino"
Pellegrini launched a scathing attack on Jose Mourinho's approach after the game, claiming the Chelsea coach deliberately put 10 players behind the ball in a negative defensive ploy.
However, Mourinho immediately shot back, claiming Pellegrini had gone against his supposed stance of never talking about the opposition or referees, referencing his recent complaints about Clattenburg.
The City boss had publicly bemoaned the official's decisions in his side's 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in April, and this season's 2-2 draw at Arsenal.
"I don't have a reaction," Mourinho said. "I think he should, not me. It was not once or two or three times that he told everyone he doesn't speak about referees: he killed Mark Clattenburg.
"Three or four times he says he doesn't speak about me or my teams: he did it once more. It's for you to comment. When I said I don't want to speak about him, that's what I try to do.
"Don't speak with me. If you want a story, speak with him not me. I follow my line. I don't want to discuss any situation."
A slightly irritable Mourinho did otherwise confirm that every Chelsea player is fit apart from Ramires, and that Diego Costa will start against Aston Villa on Saturday.
- Lythell: Chelsea can't afford Costa absence
However, the Portuguese did admit that the Spain striker was unlikely to play in the midweek Champions League tie against Sporting Lisbon due to his recurring injury problems.
"If he doesn't play against Sporting, I play [Didier] Drogba or [Loic] Remy. But this game is tomorrow, not Tuesday. It's another game, another story. I don't think about the Sporting game.
"I play tomorrow with the team I think is the best to win against Villa. After that, the consequences I will face. I have to organise a team to play against Sporting. Tomorrow I play with the team I think is the best to win."
Meanwhile, Ramires is expected to be out until after the international break in two weeks.
"It's a muscular injury, so he won't play Tuesday or even against Arsenal," Mourinho added. "He needs the international break. He needs that time. Maybe he can be back after that."