Enzo Fernandez netted a stunning free-kick goal, propelling Chelsea to victory over Aston Villa in the FA Cup, and in the process, lightening the scrutiny on manager Mauricio Pochettino. The team’s commanding 3-1 triumph at Aston Villa, which advanced them to the FA Cup’s fifth round on Wednesday, came as a moment of redemption following their recent 4-2 home loss to Wolves. This win, coupled with Nottingham Forest securing a match against Manchester United, highlighted a pivotal moment for Chelsea.
The team’s performance at Villa Park, with goals from Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson, and Enzo Fernandez, helped dissipate the disappointment from their previous 4-2 defeat to Wolves and a 4-1 loss to Liverpool. This victory was crucial for Pochettino’s side, which had been under fire after falling to 11th place in the Premier League, as an early exit from the FA Cup would have intensified pressure on the Argentine manager.
In response to recent challenges, Pochettino made some daring lineup changes, including benching Thiago Silva shortly after his wife’s controversial social media remarks demanding changes at the club, and also sidelining Raheem Sterling. These decisions paved the way for Chelsea’s younger talents to shine.
Pochettino praised the match as possibly the season’s best performance, coming at a crucial time for the team. He emphasized the challenge of achieving consistency with a young squad.
The match saw Chelsea’s academy product Gallagher opening the score with his season’s first goal, followed by Jackson, who capitalized on an opportunity with a precise header from Malo Gusto’s cross. Despite Aston Villa’s previously strong home record, they faced elimination from domestic cups with this loss.
Fernandez’s brilliant free-kick, amidst rumors of his potential departure, sealed the victory and silenced speculation about his future at Chelsea. This win not only provided Pochettino with an opportunity to secure his first trophy in English football in the upcoming League Cup final against Liverpool but also boosted Chelsea’s confidence for their FA Cup fifth-round match against Leeds.
Despite a late consolation goal from Villa’s Moussa Diaby, it was insufficient to change the outcome. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest set up a meeting with Manchester United in the FA Cup’s last 16 after overcoming Bristol City in a penalty shootout, highlighting a thrilling round of cup action.
