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?
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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.
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Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
31’ Chilwell tries his luck from distance after a short corner, but his attempt is dragged wide of the target.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
30’ Chelsea have another chance, Chilwell’s corner is headed clear by Villa and the ball finds Bailey, but he cannot mount a counter attack.
Instead the Blues bring the ball back and will have another corner.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
29’ When Aston Villa do win the ball, there is none of the same urgency that saw them dominate against Sheffield United at the weekend, and instead they often have to turn backwards towards their own goal to keep possession.
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
26’ Chelsea have another hint at a chance, but Jackson takes the ball out of play for a goal kick.
Jackson has got six goals in his last 13 appearances for Chelsea, despite not scoring at the Africa Cup of Nations
Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea
25’ Villa have struggled to get going, every time they do manage to get forward it is wasted, or the Blues end up with a free kick.
A ball from the left almost found Tielemans in the box, but Chelsea scramble the ball clear.
Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
23’ This game is so open, there are mistakes from both sides that threaten to lead to chances.
It is frantic, and that is what has allowed Chelsea their two goalscoring opportunities.
GOAL! Nicolas Jackson doubles Blues’ lead - Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea [21’]
GOAL! Jackson! 21’ Jackson heads the ball past Martinez, there was a space between two defenders and the ball from the right was just inch-perfect, and it started from a quick run at the back four from Manueke, before Gusto’s cross.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
20’ Chelsea do not look like the slightly frantic side that conceded four goals against Liverpool and Wolves in back-to-back matches, they are holding onto the ball well and looking to attack, especially with pace.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
19’ Chelsea break again through Manueke, he runs hard at the defence, and runs into the box but instead of trying to pick out a teammate, he cuts inside and tries to go for goal himself, but his shot was well high and wide of the target.
Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
17’ It has been an end to end match so far, but Chelsea have the crucial lead through Gallagher.
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