Ben Chilwell described the “togetherness” of the Chelsea dressing-room as the “best” he has seen after Mauricio Pochettino ’s side eased the pressure on their under-fire manager.
“That was exactly the reaction we wanted and needed,” declared the Chelsea captain after goals from Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson and a stunner from Enzo Fernandez stunned Villa Park.
“We wanted that pressure. We thrived off it. The confidence before the game in the changing room - the togetherness - was the best I have seen.
“We delivered on the pitch. It wasn’t just the manager - the players, the staff, the fans, everyone associated with the club needed that today. Fair play to all of the boys.”
Chelsea’s win over a below-par Aston Villa means they will host Leeds United in the fifth round of the FA Cup, three days after facing Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
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And following back-to-back Premier League hammerings, it was a relief for Pochettino, who was in defiant mood, saying: “We were ready to fight today - we fight for our fans, fight for the club and fight for the badge.
“The key was how the team reacted and trained and talked and, with this group of players, I think we can succeed together. The fans were fantastic and the players showed they care about them and want to succeed for them.
The Blues remain in the hunt for both domestic trophies (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)“We are going to fight. These players need time and trust. Tonight, I saw a team free and enjoying playing football.”
Chelsea fans still turned on Todd Boehly and his co-owners by singing Roman Abramovich’s name early in the fourth round replay. But they were soon celebrating one of Chelsea’s more impressive performances of the season.
Instead, it was Aston Villa supporters who voiced their displeasure as Unai Emery ’s side barely laid a glove on the under-fire visitors before Moussa Diaby’s added-time consolation goal.
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