Aston Villa vs Chelsea LIVE: FA Cup result and reaction after Enzo scores a stunning free kick as Blues win
Unai Emery’s side play hosts in this fourth round replay but who will reach the next stage of the competition?
Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free
Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Chelsea silenced the doubters and relieved some of the mounting pressure on manager Mauricio Pochettino with a confident 3-1 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round.
The west London club had slipped into the bottom half of the table following back to back defeats to Liverpool and Wolves, but a youthful Chelsea showed fight and spirit at Villa Park.
Conor Gallagher opened the scoring with his first goal of the season for Chelsea in the 11th minute, with Nicolas Jackson, who had just returned from the Africa Cup of Nations doubling his side’s lead 10 minutes later.
In the second half Enzo Fernandes all but secured his side’s place in the next round with a stunning free kick straight into the top corner, and even a late consolation goal from Moussa Diaby could not deter Chelsea.
The previous fixture between the teams ended in a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge with Villa creating more chances on goal despite Chelsea seeing more possession. With the support of their home fans the midlands club will be hoping to get over the line and set up a fifth-round clash against Leeds or Plymouth Argyle.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
45+2’ CHANCE! Chelsea make a mistake here and John McGinn had a chance to pull one back for the home side, hie tried to place it and the ball was tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
45+1’ There will be two minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
45’ Diego Carlos, Chilwell and Cash are among those who have conceded fouls in the last few minutes.
Chelsea are sending probing balls forwards, but it is when they attack with numbers that Villa are on the back foot.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
44’ There are a few fouls flying around just on the stroke of half time.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
41’ Aston Villa have not created chances and have even been a little bit static, occasionally resorting to fouls, like one on Gallagher, partly out of frustration that they have not been able to get going so far in this match.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
39’ Villa have just started growing into the game in the last couple of minutes, and have looked to try and pick out Watkins in the centre.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
37’ Villa attack on the break and they will have a corner, although Enzo was looking for a free-kick for a foul by Tielemans.
The corner was threatening and there was no one in the middle to put the ball in the back of the net, but it was a well-hit cross.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
35’ Chilwell will take, it comes out to Caicedo who fluffs his shot, and this time Villa are able to get the ball clear.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
SAVE! Martinez has to be alert to make a smart save as Chelsea’s runs behind the back line continue to cause problems.
And Chelsea have another corner.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
33’ Villa are really struggling to get going here. Chelsea do have a high press, but this is concerning for the home side.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments