Goals from Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez saw Chelsea thrash Aston Villa 3-1 to set up a Fifth Round tie against Leeds in the 2023-24 FA Cup.
Gallagher fired Chelsea ahead with a clinical 11th minute strike before Jackson nodded in their second goal just ten minutes later.
Fernandez wrapped up victory with a 54th minute free-kick from 25 yards which secured the Blues’ passage to the Fifth Round.
Moussa Diaby denied the Blues a clean sheet with an injury-time strike from Jacob Ramsey’s cutback pass.
Chelsea will now host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 28 February, live on ITV4 with kick-off time set for 7:30pm GMT.
Sat seven places and 15 points of Chelsea in the Premier League, Villa began this replay as favourites especially after an energetic front-footed start, which ultimately came to nothing.
Chelsea drew their first chance in the sixth minute as Cole Palmer’s tame shot was saved by Emiliano Martinez, who then saved Enzo Fernandez’s header from a corner two minutes later.
Villa failed to heed those scares and were punished in the 11th minute as Nicolas Jackson teed up Madueke inside the box, from which the youngster laid off for the incoming Gallagher to smash into the top-left corner to put the visitors ahead.
Madueke almost added their second goal in the 18th minute as he fumbled the power on a volley shot from Jackson’s cutback pass.
The 21 year-old was soon involved in Chelsea’s second goal as he teed up Gusto on the right to whip in a cross, which found Jackson unmarked to nod Chelsea’s second goal into the bottom-left corner.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues soon began to dominate and almost put the tie to bed in the 34th minute, yt Martinez was alert to block Palmer’s curled shot towards the bottom-left corner with an outstretched punch.
Chelsea soon protected their lead into half-time but were given a scare in the second minute of first-half injury-time as McGinn rifled over the bar from Ollie Watkins’ pass.
Villa continued to press early in the second half until Youri Tielemans fouled Fernandez in the 53rd minute 25 yards from goal, and Fernandez barely a minute later curled his free-kick into the top-left corner to put Chelsea on the cusp of the Fifth Round.
Diego Carlos nodded a 59th minute free-kick over the bar and McGinn fired wide on the turn seven minutes later, as Villa began to chase their fading hopes of forcing extra-time at minimum.
Villa substitute, Diaby smashed wide from a sloppy clearance of Alex Moreno’s cross in the 74th minute, just two minutes after he came on as the Villains continued to desperately keep their FA Cup dreams alive.
Diaby eventually netted a late consolatory goal for Villa in the first minute of injury-time as he met fellow substitute, Ramsey’s cutback pass and rifled in via the inside of the right post.
Chelsea ultimately saw the game out to set up their home tie against Leeds in the Fifth Round on 28 February, which will be played just three days after the Blues meet Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Final.
Speaking to ITV post-match, Chelsea defender, Ben Chilwell described the win as “exactly the reaction we wanted and needed” following their embarrassing defeat to Wolves last Sunday in the Premier League.
Chilwell went on to speak of the team’s desire to be under pressure as he added: “We wanted that pressure. We thrived off it. The confidence before the game in the changing room was the best I have seen it – the togetherness.
“We delivered on the pitch today.
“As a club, the players, manager, the staff, the fans everyone involved in the club. It wasn’t just the manager. Everyone associated with the club needed that today.”
What’s Next?
Aston Villa will host Manchester United at Villa Park in a huge Premier League clash on Sunday 11 February at 4:30pm GMT.
Chelsea head to London rivals, Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday 12 February at 8pm.
Teams
Aston Villa: Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Diego Carlos, Clement Lenglet, Alex Moreno, Boubacar Kamara (Iroegbunam 87′), Douglas Luiz, John McGinn (Diaby 72′), Youri Tielemans (Ramsey 71′), Leon Bailey (Zaniolo 88′), Ollie Watkins
Substitutes: Pau Torres, Calum Chambers, Moussa Diaby, Nicolo Zaniolo, Robin Olsen, Jacob Ramsey, Tim Iroegbunam, Tyreik Wright, Omari Kellyman
Chelsea: Dorde Petrovic, Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badashile (Gilchrist 87′), Ben Chilwell, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer (Silva 81′), Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke (Sterling 75′), Nicolas Jackson (Nkunku 87′)
Substitutes: Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Marcus Bettinelli, Carney Chukwuemeka, Christopher Nkunku, Alfie Gilchrist, Lucas Bergstorm, Ishe Samuels-Smith
Referee – Thomas Bramall
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