I've taken over from Suarez as Premier League villain - Costa

Chelsea striker Diego Costa believes he is unfairly treated by some in England and has now taken over the role of Premier League villain from Luis Suarez.

Costa has been the centre of controversy on a number of occasions during his time in London - most recently earning a three-match ban for his clash with Laurent Koscielny in last month's derby with Arsenal.

The 27-year-old also tangled with Gabriel, attracting criticism from Arsene Wenger and sections of the media, and Costa has now echoed complaints made by ex-Liverpool man Suarez before his move to Spain.

"I think Luis Suarez left this country because of how he was treated and made out to be the bad guy," he told the London Evening Standard.

"Do I feel like I have taken his place? That is crystal clear. It is obvious that there are people after me. If you do something wrong and it makes the papers, then okay, that's fair.

"But when people are after you all of the time, when you’re always the headline that’s not fair. I hope they're not after me. I hope it’s not the case. I hope it’s something that’s just in my head."

Costa's behaviour against Arsenal was branded "unacceptable" by Wenger prior to his ban, with the Brazil-born frontman always ready to make his presence felt among opposition defenders.