MAURICIO POCHETTINO turned frosty when asked why he dropped Thiago Silva for Chelsea's impressive 3-1 FA Cup win at Aston Villa.
Silva's wife Isabelle posted "It's time to change" after Sunday's 4-2 loss to Wolves - although she later apologised for her "outburst".
Blues' boss Pochettino replaced 39-year-old Silva with Benoit Badiashile on Wednesday, meaning an inexperienced central defence with Axel Disasi.
But Chelsea turned in one of their finest displays of an erratic season to mock Villa's superb home record.
Before kick-off, however, Poch became terse when pressed over Silva.
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Responding to ITV's Gabriel Clarke, the ex-Tottenham chief said: "Why the question?
"I am professional and a coach and I always pick my players because of performance and balance.
"I think I understand the question but I want to be calm because I need to be professional and I always make my decisions because of the professional side."
Asked if there were any other reasons for the Brazilian's axing, Poch replied: "My answer was clear, no?"
Pochettino earlier revealed he met Silva to discuss a "private" matter - assumed to be Isabelle's post on X.
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He added: "I am not going to talk in the way we were talking. The important thing is he came and wanted to talk with me."
Chelsea went on to book a fifth-round home clash against Leeds with a stylish replay triumph at Villa Park.
Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson pounced neatly before the break.
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Enzo Fernandez then curled the Blues' brilliant third goal, with Villa sub Moussa Diaby netting a stoppage-time consolation.
