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.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Pochettino responds to questions after leaving Thiago Silva on the bench
Pochettino was asked about the selection of Silva ahead of the game and he said: “I am professional, I always pick my players because of performance and balance and I understand the question but I think I want to be calm and I need to be professional.”
Thiago Silva’s wife calls for ‘change’ at Chelsea
Firstly, here is one of the stories that broke over the weekend:
The wife of Thiago Silva has said that “change” is needed before it is “too late” for Chelsea’s after their latest significant setback against Wolves.
The London club were beaten 4-2 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with a Matheus Nunes hat-trick and Axel Disasi own goal condemning Mauricio Pochettino’s side to a tenth Premier League defeat of the season.
The win lifted the visitors above their hosts, with Pochettino under renewed pressure after Chelsea dropped into the bottom half.
Thiago Silva’s wife calls for ‘change’ at Chelsea
A Matheus Cunha hat-trick fired Wolves to a 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge as pressure grows on Mauricio Pochettino
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
We will soon be bringing some quotes from Pochettino
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
We are almost half an hour away from kick off at Villa Park and the players are out on the pitch warming up, while the fans arrive at the stadium:
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
Aston Villa made one change from their Premier League match at the weekend, with Matty Cash coming into the side in place of Ezri Konsa.
Chelsea also made a few changes with Thiago Silva among the substitutes, as are Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku.
While, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson start.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
Here are some photos of the players arriving at Villa Park:
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
A quick reminder that the winner of this match will host Leeds in the fifth round.
Aston Villa team news
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Diego Carlos, Lenglet, Alex Moreno, Bailey, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Tielemans, Watkins
Chelsea team news
There are a host of changes from Chelsea, but here is the starting XI: Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Chilwell, Gallagher, Caicedo, Enzo, Madueke, Jackson, Palmer
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