Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea: Enzo Fernandez scores superb free-kick as Blues stun Villans to progress to fifth round

Chelsea put in a superb performance to earn a surprise 3-1 win away at Villa Park and book themselves a place in the FA Cup Fifth round.

In doing so, they set up a home tie against Championship high-flyers Leeds United.

Aston Villa had won 20 of their last 23 home games going into the fixture and got off to a quick start, looking to capitalise on a raucous Villa Park atmosphere. However, it was Chelsea who took the lead on eleven minutes with a patient bit of play that ended with Conor Gallagher arriving in the box to calmly side foot the ball into the top corner.

The Blues’ confidence only grew after the opening goal and just 10 minutes later they doubled their lead. The returning Nicolas Jackson headed home from a Gusto cross after some great play from Madueke who caused Villa problems all through the first half as Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure.

The second half started much like the first had ended. Chelsea continued to dominate and just ten minutes into the half Enzo Fernandez put an early seal on the game with a wonderful free kick from range which curled into the top corner.

As the half wore on Villa started to push as Chelsea backed off, but the home side created little. A late Moussa Diaby goal set up a frantic finish in the final few minutes but Villa were unable to affect the result.

The defeat means Aston Villa’s search for an FA Cup win against Premier League opposition continues, with the last being against Liverpool in the 2015 semi-final.

Meanwhile Chelsea will be hoping to go deep in a competition they have won eight times already in their history.

Following successive defeats in which Chelsea conceded four goals in the week – against Liverpool and Wolves – leading up to this game has seen Pochettino’s position as manager questioned more than ever. However, tonight’s result will lift the weight off a manager’s shoulders who appeared increasingly frustrated going into the fixture.

It is also the manner of victory which will please Pochettino as for a club who have undergone such upheaval and disruption in the past two years Chelsea played with a cohesion and style tonight that has not been seen in a long time.

Madueke put in a true winger’s performance tonight and terrified Aston Villa down the right all evening. He was direct in transition and drove Chelsea forward while also being decisive in the final third. The young Englishman set up the opener and was heavily involved in the second goal and can count himself unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself.

Aston Villa – Martinez 6, Cash 5, Carlos 4, Lenglet 4, Moreno 3, McGinn 7, Kamara 6, Tielemans 4, Luiz 5, Bailey 5, Watkins 5, Subs: Ramsey 6, Diaby 7, Iroegbunam 5, Zaniolo 5.

Chelsea – Petrovic 7, Gusto 7, Disasi 7, Badiashile 6, Chilwell 6, Caicedo 7, Fernandez 8, Gallagher 8, Palmer 7, Madueke 8, Jackson 7, Subs: Sterling 5, Silva 5, Gilchrist 5, Nkunku 5.

11’ GOAL! ASTON VILLA 0-1 CHELSEA (GALLAGHER) – Out of nowhere Chelsea take the lead at Villa Park. The game was just settling down as Chelsea put their foot on the ball. They built up the move nicely before Madueke cut into the box and teed up Gallagher who places it into the top corner.

21’ GOAL! ASTON VILLA 0-2 CHELSEA (JACKSON) – Chelsea double their lead!! A deserved second for the away side who have been piling the pressure on. Madueke and Gusto work it well down the right and the latter whips in a great cross for Jackson to head home.

54’ GOAL! ASTON VILLA 0-3 CHELSEA (FERNANDEZ) – WOW! What a wonderful strike from Fernandez. He won the free kick and stepped up to take it, and how did he take it! Around 25 yards out straight into the top corner, not even two keepers could have saved that.

91’ GOAL! ASTON VILLA 1-3 CHELSEA (DIABY) – A great goal by Diaby who clips it on off the post from the edge of the box. It won’t count for much, but it will have put a blemish on Chelsea’s night.