- Chelsea defeated Aston Villa 3-1 in the FA Cup fourth round replay on Wednesday
- Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez scored to secure the win
- Chelsea are a mess and it’s hard to find the answers… but they need to keep the faith and stay patient. It all starts podcast
Mauricio Pochettino praised his Chelsea side after their shock 3-1 victory over Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Blues and their boss came under immense pressure in the replay at Villa Park after Sunday’s dreadful 4-2 defeat to Wolves.
However, against their in-form opponents – who beat Sheffield United 5-0 at the weekend – Chelsea were brilliant, taking a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez, before Moussa Diaby scored a late consolation.
And Pochettino, speaking to ITV after the match, praised his side, claiming it was their strongest performance of the season.
“I think so (it was the best performance),” he said. ‘We were in the dressing room talking about the feelings with the players. One of the best, perhaps the best performance of the season.
Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea’s win over Aston Villa was their best performance of the season
Chelsea put in an excellent performance as they toppled Villa 3-1 in a shock result at Villa Park
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“It has come at a really good time for us and I am so happy with the performance.
‘I liked the way we played the most. We are a young team and you know it’s always about being solid and consistent and that’s the hardest thing in a young team.
“Today I was so happy because we talked a lot in the last few months about how to create and win.
‘Before the game the perception was that the team was all in the middle, ready to battle, fight and go. It’s always about energy and attitude and today I saw that the talent is there.
‘Villa are doing a fantastic season, but playing the way we did… it’s not the result (that pleases me the most), it’s the way we played and showed our quality.’
Pochettino came under scrutiny after the 4-2 defeat to Wolves, which followed a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool in midweek.
It meant that The Blues have already lost ten league games this season and have dropped to eleventh place in the rankings.
And Pochettino highlighted the struggles his side face but claimed Wednesday’s performance was an example of his side’s potential.
‘Of course it is difficult, but we are talking about expectations. We are talking about the youngest team in the Premier League, with such high expectations and it is normal for players to feel the pressure to play, perform and win.
‘It’s not easy to arrange all these things. I was talking yesterday about how as a coaching staff there are too many things we have to deal with and it’s difficult to explain that to people.
Pochettino came under pressure in the match after Chelsea lost 4-2 to Wolves on Sunday
The Argentinian highlighted the problems he faces but said he was optimistic about the future
‘But we are very satisfied with this performance. All the people who believed from the beginning can now feel that it is true.
‘The trust of the players and the belief of the players in us is there. 200 percent. The performance I liked it the most and that’s why I’m so optimistic.’
He continued: ‘I know people are not patient and in a club like Chelsea you have to win and people don’t want to hear circumstances and excuses.
‘But we are not Chelsea anymore. This is a new project, these things can happen and people have to believe in them. If they believe fantastically and if not, you know what will happen.”