Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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?

Sonia Twigg
Wednesday 07 February 2024 22:00 GMT
Comments
(Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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 0-3 Chelsea

89’ Just one minute left of normal time and the game is just meandering on to what seems to be a foregone conclusion at the moment.

There was a brief fightback from Villa around the 70th minute, but they were not able to reduce the deficit.

Sonia Twigg7 February 2024 21:49

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

87’ Another lengthy delay for substitutions from both teams while Villa wait to take a throw in. It feels like five minutes later they are actually allowed to take it, and they throw it backwards towards their own half. Big anti-climax.

Sonia Twigg7 February 2024 21:47

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

85’ The urgency has just been taken out of the match, Villa are trying to get forward, but not with the same intent they showed around 10 minutes ago.

Sonia Twigg7 February 2024 21:44

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

83’ Will the substitutions have an impact on the game? There are just eight minutes left of normal time.

Sonia Twigg7 February 2024 21:42

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

80’ Thiago Silva is going to come on for the final 10 minutes of the game, and Caicedo will be coming off, along with Cole Palmer for Nkunku and the number six.

Sonia Twigg7 February 2024 21:40

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

78’ Caicedo has just gone down in the middle of the pitch and the ball is eventually kicked out.

Sonia Twigg7 February 2024 21:37

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

77’ The momentum has just started shifting in favour of the home side for the first time in the game in the last five minutes or so and Diaby made a good run and pull back from the goal line although Chelsea were able to clear.

Sonia Twigg7 February 2024 21:37

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

76’ CHANCE! Moreno has a header at the back post, he had the space to run into but his header was just over the bar and landed on the roof of the net.

Petrovic has been booked for time wasting after the subsequent goal kick.

Sonia Twigg7 February 2024 21:35

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

75’ Chelsea change now and Raheem Sterling has come on for the final 15 minutes of normal time.

Sonia Twigg7 February 2024 21:34

Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea

74’ That was a bit nervy from Chelsea and Petrovic’s clearance was almost charged down, in fact it was but the ball did not fall goalwards.

Sonia Twigg7 February 2024 21:33

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in